During the past five years, we have noted the spreading popularity of coffee houses and cafes among young men. A large number of young Saudi men frequent these establishments, spending their evenings and most of their nights until the early hours of the morning there. While there, they drink tea and soft drinks, smoke sheesha and eat. Many of them remain there until 4 o’clock in the morning.
In my opinion this situation requires some rules and regulations. How are we supposed to Saudize jobs and professions and find employment opportunities for young Saudi men if we are helping and encouraging them to stay up late and spend almost the entire night away from home? When a youth comes home at such an hour, he is tired and will sleep — probably not even waking for the dawn prayer — and often will not get up until after midday. What about our parental supervision?
When a young man stays up most nights until 4 in the morning, how can we expect him to go to work in an alert and active condition? We must help our young men to discipline themselves and commit themselves to the jobs and duties demanded of them.
This calls for related sectors such as the municipality to set a closing hour for such establishments. For example, on normal days the establishments close at midnight and on Wednesday and Thursday at 1 a.m. If such a rule were firmly implemented and those who violate it punished by high fines, we would be better able to guide our youth. Supervising and assisting our young people regarding their abilities and energies is a national necessity that we must look into and take part in for the good of the state and its citizens.
We must help our youth to do their duties and their jobs, not to be late for work, and to work with enthusiasm and dedication. Staying up late kills ambition and is the death of development and competition. Saudization will never be accomplished unless we change this unfortunate practice. We must wake to face the challenges facing our youth and we must also be aware of the threat of these social practices which cause the destruction and devastation of our community.
