FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Authorities in Saudi Arabia have closed dozens of clubs, nightclubs offering live music and shisha in major cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, with the official justification of "serious violations of public health and hygiene rules."
However, this campaign has sparked strong debates in public opinion, being interpreted by many as part of a conservative reaction against the social openness that has occurred in recent years in the kingdom.
Lounges have become symbols of Saudi Arabia's liberalization under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. After the weakening of the religious police in 2016, the country has undergone profound cultural changes, such as allowing concerts, cinemas and major sporting events.
In this context, clubs/bars emerged as spaces where men and women could have fun together, listen to music and smoke shisha, a more affordable form of entertainment for the middle classes and immigrants, compared to luxury events such as international concerts or Formula 1 races.
However, the rapid growth of these venues in urban areas has raised concerns among conservatives, who see them as immoral places where illegal activities such as alcohol or drug use can take place. Some citizens have raised their voices to close them, considering them a threat to public order and morality.
On the other hand, supporters see them as a natural part of urban development and an increase in the quality of life. They represent an acceptable and affordable alternative for entertainment in a country where alcoholic beverages are still prohibited and where other options are expensive.
In an attempt to balance modernization with preserving traditional values, authorities have taken new measures to control "immoral" behavior, including arrests for prostitution and begging, a move that some interpret as a return to religious control in a new form.
Essentially, the debate around this topic reflects the clash between two realities in Saudi Arabia: the desire for modernization and economic development, and the continuing pressure to preserve inherited identity and social norms.
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