Shopping malls have seen many young men standing at their gates in the Eastern Province during the Eid holidays. This scene repeats itself all-year-round and increases during festivals.

Some shopping malls in the Eastern Province deny the entry of bachelors because of a regulation that was passed a few years ago. Some girls pretend to accompany the boys just to provide them access for an amount of money that could reach SR200.

Security officer Saeed Majaan spoke about the difficulties he faces in his work. “Some young men try to enter the mall always, but this phenomenon increases during holidays, on special occasions, and it becomes more acute during Eid. Young men try to enter the mall by various means. Sometimes they call one of the employees who work inside, or by looking for a girl who may be willing to accompany them inside, pretending they are her brother or husband,” he said.

Jamaan said many young men enter the malls at noon and stay inside until midnight. “Some try to offer money to security guards, sums that could reach SR150, while others resort to paying girls who specialize in granting entry to young men by taking SR200 during holidays and major occasions,” he said.

Yahya Al-Shahrani came to the Eastern Province to visit his relatives. He said there are no other means of entertainment apart from going to the malls. “Their management allows foreign bachelors to enter, as well as visitors from the Gulf, but deny entry to Saudi youth. If a young man hits on women, the malls decide to prevent every young man from entering,” he said.

“Denying entry is expected, especially when hitting on women occurs more frequently, but generalizing to include all young men is not good. Young men will always find other ways to enter shopping centers, either by accompanying young girls, or they will stay in the mall from afternoon till late at night,” said Ali Al-Majd.

He said it is important to review this decision, especially since it doesn’t serve the purpose. “There are commercial stores that sell young men’s clothes, and banning men from entry leads to a reduction in sales,” he said.

“Bad practices are found everywhere, in the streets, hospitals, or commercial centers. If we don’t have faith in the Saudi youth, deploying security guards and surveillance cameras inside shopping malls is definitely much better than banning youth from entry,” he said.