Kuwait imposes curfew for cafes, restaurants

The decision to close Kuwait’s cafes and restaurants early was met with objection from youths and apprehension on the part of psychiatrists as cafeg owners complained of substantial losses.

The decision first dictated that cafes and restaurants should close their doors at midnight on weekdays and at 2:00 am during weekends and holidays. After the decision stirred much controversy amongst youth, closure time was extended to 1:00 am.

Saving electricty

However, the one extra hour did nothing to calm down the angry youths who view the decision as a flagrant violation of their personal freedom.

However, the new regulations were welcome by officials who argued that they should have been imposed a long time ago.

It sounds absurd that cafes would just open their doors until they decide to close and without set hours, said Abdul-Karim Selim, member of the Kuwait Municipality.

Selim also objected to the idea of youths hanging out at cafes till late.

“Why would youths stay in cafes after midnight?” he told Al Arabiya. “They are either students who need to study or employees who need to wake up early for work.”

Selim added that in Western countries, restaurants and cafes have specific working hours because this is better for the city in which those places are located.

“Closing cafes early saves electricity and reduces traffic jams.”

Colonel Mohamed al-Sabr, spokesman for the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior was not available to comment when contacted by Al Arabiya.

Closing cafes early saves electricity and reduces traffic jams

Member of the Kuwait Municipality

Negative impact

Contrary to the official view, psychologists warn of the negative impact the new regulations might have.

Dr. Khedr al-Baron, Professor of Psychology at the University of Kuwait, agreed with the youths concerning the violation of personal freedoms this ban implies.

“Authorities have no right to infringe on freedom in that way,” he told Al Arabiya. “Their role is confined to penalizing wrong doers.”

He also warned of the other options available for them if they find no cafes to hang out in after midnight.

“These regulations include an implicit invitation for youths to go to bars or other places that engage in indecent activities.”

Baron added that closing cafes early will affect people’s mood since they will find no outlet.

“Their frustration will definitely affect their performance at work or in their studies.”

In response to Selim’s argument that cafes close their doors early in Europe and North America, Baron pointed out that the government should take example from neighboring countries.

“None of our neighboring countries imposes regulations on the time to close cafes or restaurants,” he concluded.

These regulations include an implicit invitation for youths to go to bars or other places that engage in indecent activities

Psychologist

Financial loss

The decision has already started to take its toll on owners of cafes who are losing money because of the limited opening hours.

“The authorities should have taken into consideration the financial loss we are now suffering from,” cafe owner Mohamed al-Anzi told Al Arabiya. “They should re-consider this decision.”

Anzi wondered what would happen if big cafes owned by prominent businessmen with contacts decided to violate the regulations. He also denied any allegations that indecent activities take place inside cafes and that this may be the reason for imposing the new regulations.

Al Arabiya visited several cafes in Kuwait City where youths were vocal about their indignation at the government’s interference in their lives.

“They have to take this decision back,” one of them told Al Arabiya. “Kuwait already lacks entertainment places.”




(Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid).

The authorities should have taken into consideration the financial loss we are now suffering from

Cafe owner