JEDDAH, 27 June 2004 — Saudi youths have criticized organizers of the summer festivals for the uninteresting programs they are offered, according to Al-Madinah newspaper.
Many said that the name of the summer festivals should be changed to “Family Only Festivals” as the current programs ignore them.
They say most parks and furnished accommodation are allocated for families only, forcing many teenagers to spend their vacation abroad.
The young population forms 60 percent of the Saudi society and many feel that such a big section of society should to be included more in plans for summer vacations, the paper said.
Sameer Al-Adwani said, “We are facing a real problem because we have no place to go to and cannot find a place to stay in. Most furnished apartments are for families only and rarely can we find a person willing to rent an apartment for the summer. We rent places far away from the city, which is a big problem for us in terms of transportation. There is also the problem that most places designed for tourism are for families only. Why does society want to restrain us? Why can’t they design a place for youth only, especially in summertime?”
Bandar Al-Shihri said, “We are victim to society’s image of us. I remember when I was staying in a building set aside for young people, a neighbor complained to the police that we were a threat to his family. Police kicked us out within a week.”
Abdulrahman Al-Shihri said, “They should discuss the youth issue; one of these is why we are neglected when it comes to planning for summer festivals. People who plan for these festivals focus on families only. They should use sport clubs to organize youth festivals for us. If they cannot provide good programs for tourism inside the country, then teenagers will continue to be forced to spend their vacation abroad.”
