They claim that the men manage to get in by bribing gatekeepers at these places. They added that these guards sell entry tickets to young men at a premium and the profits go into their own pockets.
The unwelcome presence of these young bachelors was particularly felt at some of the theme parks in Dammam and Alkhobar, which has witnessed a huge flow of holidaymakers during the Eid holidays, according to a report in Al-Yaum Arabic daily.
Several citizens, especially youngsters, are of the view that there should be separate recreational facilities for unmarried young men, away from families and women.
Rakan Al-Qadi, a citizen, says special areas for young men at amusement parks are indispensable.
“In the absence of such facilities, they are trying to force their way into areas designated only for families. They are successful in doing this by working with some gatekeepers,” he said.
Turki Al-Odwani, another citizen, said he had a fierce exchange of words with a gatekeeper for denying him entry into an amusement park when he had previously allowed a group of unmarried young men to enter.
Abu Abdullah, another resident, says that he managed to enter a theme park exclusively for families because there were no special facilities for bachelors.
Sheikh Fahd Al-Maymooni, member of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia) in the Eastern Province, said his colleagues are on patrolling duty at almost all the theme parks and recreational facilities in the region.
He urged officials from such family facilities to prevent bachelors from entering them.
Ziyad Al-Roqaiti, spokesman for Eastern Province police, said more than 40 policemen and 10 patrol units have been deployed at amusement parks and other recreational facilities in the region over the current Eid holidays alone.
“A number of young men found at these facilities have been taken into custody and released after making a written pledge not to repeat the offense,” he added.
