DOHA: Some in the Qatari community are taking offence to young expatriates riding motorcycles with women as pillion passengers.
They say it is against their culture and traditions and fear that younger elements in their community may begin aping them and get spoilt. So Qataris want the authorities concerned to stop what they say is a growing menace in their midst, but a psychologist has advised caution.
She said an awareness campaign should be launched to convince motorcyclists what they are doing is offensive to the local culture and social sensitivities.
Ahmed Hilal, a Qatari, said young expatriate women riding pillion with male motorcyclists and holding them tightly from behind is not desirable in Qatar.
“This is immoral, but you see them openly moving in public places. Our society is conservative. We must maintain our traditions and culture,” he said.
He told Al Sharq that it was strange watching young expatriate girls as pillion passengers and tightly holding men riding motorcycles.
“This we see daily not only in Doha but also outside, in Sealine, among other areas,” Hilal said, adding authorities must clamp down on them. He said some women pillion riders use helmets so their faces can’t be seen.
Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Al Buanain, said, “We are afraid this social disease may inflict our society as well.
“Our religion prevents us from doing such sinful acts,” he said, adding the Traffic Department should intervene and stop this craze. “Men riding motorcycles are not allowed (by our religion) to even have their wives and sisters as pillion passengers. We feel socially threatened.”
Mohamed Thiyab, another Qatari, said men riding motorcycles and carrying women passengers seated behind them and holding them tightly are from different nationalities. “Such a practice is not acceptable to us.”
Sometimes women can be seen riding motorcycles and challenging men in competitions. “We can’t tolerate such things.”
Contacted by this newspaper, prominent psychologist, Dr Moza Al Malki, said people have no right to intercept expatriate motorcyclists this way.
“First, they are not doing what they are to offend locals or challenge Qatari social values. Doing that is normal in their countries. People should not react this way. Authorities should instead launch a campaign to make motorcyclists aware of local social sensitivities and convince them to stop the practice.” The Peninsula
