MAKKAH: Makkah youths say the holy city does not have entertainment venues to attract visitors for Eid Al-Fitr.

“We are forced to go to nearby places such as Taif and Jeddah in search of spots for entertaining ourselves with games and other activities during such holiday seasons,” one of them said.

“We are forced other times to go to faraway locations for entertainment and even rent chalets despite their high prices that sometimes reach SR1,500 for a day during the peak holiday season,” said another.

According to Abdulelah Al-Muqati, a young resident, Makkah’s parks and entertainment centers plan programs and activities that do not comply with the aspirations of youth for celebrating Eid holidays.

Expressing similar sentiments, Yahya Salem suggests that one way of attracting young men to the holy city during the Eid season is to organize wide ranging activities, including competitions and festivals, like in the Kingdom’s other regions.

“During the Eid days, after the prayers, I have no other option but to travel to places like Taif and Jeddah because Makkah lacks the kind of activities that interest young men. People here sit on the pavements or just exchange family visits,” said Ibrahim Al-Malki.

Ahmad Ali agrees with Yahya Salem that authorities must establish decent places for Eid celebrations for young men in particular. Tala Al-Fahmi says there are leisure places for families but not for young men.

According to Salman Al-Zahrani, Eid activities this year were poor and least attractive.

Muhammad Taha Faqeih, director of safety and social services in Makkah municipality, said his department allocated areas for the holiday celebrations across the districts and neighborhoods of the city under the supervision and management of specialized technical teams.

“The municipality put in place a media plan to familiarize the citizens and residents of the holy city with the activities meant for families, children and youth. It distributed more than 10,000 copies of brochures with different sizes containing the programs and activities, and their locations.” said Faqeih.

Sameer Tawakkal of the Makkah municipality said the municipality always plans activities during such holidays to make every citizen, resident and visitor enjoy his time.