spagaat III
SHOPPING malls in Doha are free to impose their own rules to restrict young single men from entering their premises.
Officials told Gulf Times yesterday that they were not under pressure from government officials to impose bans and declare family days.
The sight of bachelors being turned away from malls at weekends has become commonplace but no uniform policy in place, spokespersons revealed.
As an example, the Landmark mall strictly observes a family day on Thursday (3.30pm-9.30pm) whereas the City Center restricts entry of bachelors on Fridays.
Gulf Times on Saturday carried a report detailing how a Western and an Asian reporter were treated differently upon attempting to enter certain shopping centres.
The idea behind a designated family day is to allow families and single ladies to “be totally at ease and shop with privacy”, Gulf Times was suggested.
An official at the Landmark Mall explained that the place had had a ‘family day’ since its opening in 2000.
“We carried out a survey among our customers and residents in the locality and it was only on their suggestion that we announced Thursday (3.30pm-9.30pm) as a day for families and ladies only,” the official noted.
According to her, the mall’s security gets help from civilian law enforcement personnel and police on the day, in case any unpleasant event takes place – which “occasionally does”.
She dismissed the notion of racism being behind the move, citing the 1,500 employees, most of them Arabs, working along with a handful of Indians and Filipinos at the establishment.
Landmark Mall was claimed to be open to all on any day during the ongoing Doha Summer Festival (DSF).
“Hyatt Plaza has never had a fixed family day as such. Only when we plan a family-orientated event, we declare a whole day as off-limit to bachelors. It could be any day of the week,” an official noted.
“We are welcoming all on all days during the DSF,” she added.
At The Mall, “males who are between the ages of 18-25 won’t be allowed on Thursdays – all day,” an official commented.
“We have noticed certain young people in this age group not acting decently and being punk, and this policy is aimed at deterring them from harassing families and single ladies,” he maintained.
The Mall has had this policy since March. It welcomes all during the DSF, even on Thursdays.
A security personnel at the City Center maintained that Fridays are off-limit to bachelors from 10am-10pm. Questions regarding the first date of imposing the policy and others were not answered.
No one could be reached at the Villaggio Mall, which was found to observe Fridays as the family day. Bachelors are also not allowed in certain Souq areas on Fridays.
Some of the malls also have signage posted outside that says: “to honour the Qatari traditions and customs”, people should “wear decent clothing, avoid inappropriate behaviour and words. Do not smoke inside the mall, avoid bothering guests and keep the mall clean.”
Officials told Gulf Times yesterday that they were not under pressure from government officials to impose bans and declare family days.
The sight of bachelors being turned away from malls at weekends has become commonplace but no uniform policy in place, spokespersons revealed.
As an example, the Landmark mall strictly observes a family day on Thursday (3.30pm-9.30pm) whereas the City Center restricts entry of bachelors on Fridays.
Gulf Times on Saturday carried a report detailing how a Western and an Asian reporter were treated differently upon attempting to enter certain shopping centres.
The idea behind a designated family day is to allow families and single ladies to “be totally at ease and shop with privacy”, Gulf Times was suggested.
An official at the Landmark Mall explained that the place had had a ‘family day’ since its opening in 2000.
“We carried out a survey among our customers and residents in the locality and it was only on their suggestion that we announced Thursday (3.30pm-9.30pm) as a day for families and ladies only,” the official noted.
According to her, the mall’s security gets help from civilian law enforcement personnel and police on the day, in case any unpleasant event takes place – which “occasionally does”.
She dismissed the notion of racism being behind the move, citing the 1,500 employees, most of them Arabs, working along with a handful of Indians and Filipinos at the establishment.
Landmark Mall was claimed to be open to all on any day during the ongoing Doha Summer Festival (DSF).
“Hyatt Plaza has never had a fixed family day as such. Only when we plan a family-orientated event, we declare a whole day as off-limit to bachelors. It could be any day of the week,” an official noted.
“We are welcoming all on all days during the DSF,” she added.
At The Mall, “males who are between the ages of 18-25 won’t be allowed on Thursdays – all day,” an official commented.
“We have noticed certain young people in this age group not acting decently and being punk, and this policy is aimed at deterring them from harassing families and single ladies,” he maintained.
The Mall has had this policy since March. It welcomes all during the DSF, even on Thursdays.
A security personnel at the City Center maintained that Fridays are off-limit to bachelors from 10am-10pm. Questions regarding the first date of imposing the policy and others were not answered.
No one could be reached at the Villaggio Mall, which was found to observe Fridays as the family day. Bachelors are also not allowed in certain Souq areas on Fridays.
Some of the malls also have signage posted outside that says: “to honour the Qatari traditions and customs”, people should “wear decent clothing, avoid inappropriate behaviour and words. Do not smoke inside the mall, avoid bothering guests and keep the mall clean.”
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