JEDDAH, 24 September 2006 — Many streets in Jeddah became chaotic scenes of celebration and shopping, especially since the Kingdom’s National Day coincided with the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.
The city was jammed until early morning hours as people hurriedly did the last of their Ramadan shopping. Others were simply celebrating the holiday and the beginning of the holy month.
Police cars were stopped in front of some superstores to regulate the number of people who were trying to do last minute shopping.
In Madain Al-Fahd District, for example, the Aziziah Panda supermarket was overcrowded and the police refused to allow more shoppers inside.
Many vehicles were decorated with Saudi flags and pictures of the king and the crown prince. Young men performed stunts in the streets and in so doing, they attracted the attention of the police who set up checkpoint in various parts of the city in an effort to restrain the youth.
Young boys and girls were seen in Tahliah Street and on the Corniche hanging from their vehicles and waving the Saudi flag. Some youths stopped their vehicles in the middle of the street, causing massive congestion; they got out of their cars, singing patriotic songs and performing traditional dances. When they heard the sirens of approaching police cars, they jumped back into their vehicles and faded into the crowds.
Tarik Al-Hammad, a Saudi college student, said that he had never seen Jeddah celebrate like this before. “I guess because it was for two occasions people were going wild,” he said.
Al-Hammad was standing in Tahliah street watching the cars and dancing people. He participated in the celebration by cheering for those who were dancing and singing. He said that he felt bad when he saw many youths committing dangerous acts just to celebrate.
He saw two vehicles driving next to each other and two young men jumped from one to the other. “That was truly irresponsible; I wished that the police would have caught them,” he said.
Sami Hattab, a Saudi government employee, said that he came with his family to the Corniche in front of King Fahd Fountain to enjoy the National Day celebrations.
“The place was going wild with horns, young men dancing here and singing there. It was the first time I had seen everyone celebrating,” he said.
Some youths by the sea, he said, showed no respect for the public. They stopped their vehicles in the middle of the road causing traffic jams; they sang and danced and even threw firecrackers.
“I didn’t feel comfortable with my family so we went home early,” he said.
