Urge to bring about “family day” systems in malls in Qatar

Urge to bring about “family day” systems in malls in Qatar

QatarNews
By QatarNews

A member of the Central Municipal Council, Nasser al-Muhannadi , has suggested that shopping malls in Qatar should be reserved for families only during weekends.

While discussing in regard to this matter at the council’s regular bi-weekly session yesterday, Gulf Times reports that Al-Muhannadi explained that families prefer going to malls, especially during the hot season, for shopping and recreational purposes.

It was hence observed that during such times, the presence of single male workers hanging out in large groups in the malls tend to make many families uncomfortable.

For instance, in Al Khor, a large number of single workers go to the local mall on weekends, making it difficult for families to enjoy their leisure time. 

The suggestion was debated by other members of the council, who stressed that single male workers comprised the majority of the country’s population and lived away from their families. So, it would be unfair to deny them entry to shopping malls on their weekly off. 

Meanwhile, CMC vice-chairman Hamad Lahdan al-Muhannadi was of the opinion that there should be family-only days at malls, while another CMC member suggested that some weekends in a month could be dedicated to families and the others to single workers. 

Al-Muhannadi has further explained in Doha News that workers in Al-Khor visit the only mall in the city in large numbers to buy their groceries from a Lulu outlet on Fridays.

He also added that this has been a continuous disturbance to women and girls who find it uncomfortable to even walk around the mall.

Also, he said that there have been many complaints that sometimes the men look at the women around inappropriately, which he stressed is against the culture of the Qatari society.

The matter was referred to the CMC services and public utilities committee for further study and recommendations. 

What do you think?

By Rashid.civilian• 30 Nov 2015 10:48
Rashid.civilian

make it females day instead of family day then it will be great for them to do whatever activities will be there.........

By raph.royal• 28 Nov 2015 15:17
Rating: 3/5
raph.royal

Hope these decision makers are not going Malls in US, Europe, Most of the East Asian countries. If you can go there, you can see people are coming and going with families and without families. Bachelors are here to work for this nation, they also have families. Don't think that they get birth only to live as bachelors. If you people can treat all of us are human beings, then there wont be no restriction over bachelors.

By raph.royal• 28 Nov 2015 15:17
Rating: 4/5
raph.royal

Hope these decision makers are not going Malls in US, Europe, Most of the East Asian countries. If you can go there, you can see people are coming and going with families and without families. Bachelors are here to work for this nation, they also have families. Don't think that they get birth only to live as bachelors. If you people can treat all of us are human beings, then there wont be no restriction over bachelors.

By britexpat• 25 Nov 2015 17:57
britexpat

Deleerious: A valid point. This is something that occurs often and can be very disconcerting. There is no real answer to this apart from education. Also, I suppose, the more they come into contact with the opposite sex, the less inclined they will be to ogle or stare. Or am i being too idealistic ?

By IWAJITH• 25 Nov 2015 16:35
IWAJITH

WHY they don't want to ban for singles entering to the qatar ..............

By Deleerious• 25 Nov 2015 16:12
Deleerious

Noticed this a lot when my family first came here. The indian lads would just stare at her as we walked past. She's dyed her hair and won't go back now as it made her feel too uncomfortable. Shame really.

By britexpat• 24 Nov 2015 10:06
britexpat

The simple fact is that discrimination exists and this ruling , if adopted will cause more divisions

By meshakselva143• 24 Nov 2015 10:03
Rating: 3/5
meshakselva143

It's unfair.single male or female they do their business.why don't you see them as your brother or sister.

Single male working remote place will get off only on Fridays. If you implement family access only how they will get promotional good.they also have equal rights.they are hard workers.

Consider as all are humans.treat every one as humans.please don't allow discremination.

By britexpat• 22 Nov 2015 19:16
britexpat

Aah yes. The abaya and female subjugation .. Good discussions :0)

By Happy Happy• 22 Nov 2015 18:59
Happy Happy

Yes, brit, 3 years ago, and 4 years ago, and 6 years ago too...LOL. Sponsorship laws, family day at malls every Fri morning, religion and nationality bashing/moaning, and the abaya and ogling (lol) are the spice of all time on QL.

By Wild Turkey• 21 Nov 2015 21:15
Wild Turkey

And, yeah, the small shops generally gave people a credit until the end of the month. Try that at Carrefour.

By Wild Turkey• 21 Nov 2015 21:14
Wild Turkey

There weren't any malls when I cam here in 1993. The 'bachelors', like everyone, bought their stuff in the small shops. They can still do that. Let the locals live in their Mickey-Mouse world alone. Who the hell needs malls?

By britexpat• 21 Nov 2015 20:42
britexpat

I recall this same discussion 3 years ago when it all got very heated and a few female QLers said that the 'batchelors' ogled and smelled .

Nothing much has changed has it .. We're still having the same discussions and the batchelors are still suffering

By Happy Happy• 21 Nov 2015 19:34
Happy Happy

LOL! Oh dear!. S_DD!

By mohdata• 21 Nov 2015 19:33
mohdata

since both sides are right in their own way and since its vague as to whether the problem is labourers or all bacheors and since we have reached an impasse; i put it to the council; why not build a couple of huge malls for boys only? i haven't been to a mall in like 2 years but if i had to go, i personally wouldn't mind sharing my shopping space with my fellow bachelor or lone male friends, regardless of what colour their collars were...

By mudassar raza• 21 Nov 2015 15:31
mudassar raza

britexpat: you are right, as i already suggested two weekends only for family to resolve the family issue and last two weekends for General Public (including families if they wants to shop on last two weekends)

By britexpat• 21 Nov 2015 14:52
britexpat

mudassar: Malls are business. The lower paid workers don't spend as much as others, so obviously the Malls will want to have familes and middle / upper earners

By mudassar raza• 21 Nov 2015 14:42
Rating: 2/5
mudassar raza

In my opinion there should be 50-50 chances for both Families and Works. i snuggest 1st two Fridays of every month for Family and last two weeks for General public.

By britexpat• 19 Nov 2015 13:34
britexpat

knor: I know this is a public site, but please don't label Angelo as having a sick mind

By knor• 19 Nov 2015 13:29
knor

SICK MIND.....

By doha estate• 19 Nov 2015 10:24
doha estate

Do the same during 2022..lol

By bitstoms• 18 Nov 2015 21:17
Rating: 2/5
bitstoms

Accommodation reserved ...Parks reserved...Jobs reserved...everything reserved for family.!!!

Do you think the so called 'Bachelors' are not having family..???

Hardworking for wellness of the nation and considering them as nuisance...!!

They have to run away from their housings if there is a family living..!! its horrible...you must think that the bachelors are here, working for the progress of the nation by leaving their family at home. Please consider them also..

By britexpat• 18 Nov 2015 16:09
britexpat

WT: The criteria they use is simple -

Is he brown ?

If yes, then don't allow to enter

By Wild Turkey• 18 Nov 2015 15:56
Wild Turkey

I look like a "blue-collar" worker, but I'm not. How can they tell?? Do we have to wear a David-Star like in Hitler Germany??

By Angelo• 18 Nov 2015 15:37
Angelo

Why do people here travel to the US and Europe, is no one looking at women there?

Sorry, why always target the poor laborer, once the projects are done, they will be FORCED to say good bye and the people that are complaining can have the entire mall to themselves. Will the population be big enough to keep all the malls running?

By Angelo• 18 Nov 2015 15:32
Rating: 3/5
Angelo

One step forward, two steps back,

1. UAE have larger shopping malls and it is always crowded regardless of families or single gents. And they also have other activities known to the Govt, yet I do not see any segregation.

2. Are we so narrow minded that bachelors are not allowed in Malls on certain days of the week. Why not make it during mornings of the week.

3. Who is building this great city / state?

4. Were the fathers / boys of these women / girls not single once upon a time.

5. Are the women / girls not looking at the guys. Why deck up then?

Just my thoughts. Which part of the current world do you have such discrimination.

By perdian• 18 Nov 2015 13:59
perdian

"He also added that this has been a continuous disturbance to women and girls who find it uncomfortable to even walk around the mall." Look exactly, where? They are covered from HEAD to Toe!

By shahahs• 18 Nov 2015 13:49
shahahs

Let it go..

By britexpat• 18 Nov 2015 12:44
britexpat

And what advantage would "dedicated cash counters" serve ?

By bOyLuGaw• 18 Nov 2015 12:40
bOyLuGaw

ohh nothing new but they have to change the day-off of the workers

By britexpat• 18 Nov 2015 11:48
Rating: 3/5
britexpat

If you're going to do it then ban ALL single males. Not just working class asians.

By dhawood1982• 18 Nov 2015 11:44
Rating: 5/5
dhawood1982

It is unfair to stop the workers to enter in to the malls during week ends,

since they have only one day (FRIDAY) off day for them.

1. It is better to introduce dedicated cash counters for Families in malls

2. or on Saturday make it FAMILY DAY - Since majority of the people living with family is getting FRI & SAT holidays.

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