MADINAH: There are an increasing number of shops in Madinah encroaching on sidewalks to display their goods, preventing people from moving around easily.

It is not only expatriates running mobile street stalls guilty of this behavior, but also the owners of brick and mortar stores selling home goods, gifts and groceries. This is taking place around the Prophet’s Mosque and central area in Madinah.

Samir Hassan, a visitor, said shop owners are ignorant about the rights of other people. He called on the government to increase its inspections to root out this behavior.

Issa Al-Dossari said pedestrians have the right to use sidewalks. He said the state pays a great deal of money to maintain these public walkways, and should not allow them to be taken over by traders.

Other visitors also complained about the situation. Walid Al-Fariedi said many pedestrians are forced to walk in the middle of the streets.

Abdalmaan Al-Harbi said countries such as China, Japan and Indonesia do not have this problem because there is respect for the law.

Yahya Saif, spokesman of the Madinah municipality, said the shop owners are breaking the law by displaying their goods on sidewalks. Penalties include warnings, fines, closure of the business, and confiscation of all goods displayed in this illegal manner, he said.