Upset traders want decision rescinded Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH — The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has banned the use of flammable tents for Iftar and Suhoor during Ramadan because of public safety concerns. Merchants who rent out these tents to the public are upset with the decision and say their businesses will suffer as a result. Khaled Al-Askr, Assistant Director of Public Relations at the ministry, said the ministry has sent a circular to all its branches in the Kingdom banning the use of the traditional Ramadan tents because they are made of flammable fabric. He said the widespread use of these tents in residential districts near to mosques poses a threat to public safety. The Civil Defense has also made it clear it will shut down all Ramadan tents that do not have proper safety equipment. Violators would be fined between SR1,000 and SR30,000. Civil Defense field teams are currently touring the districts to make sure tent organizers follow safety and fire regulations and inform their guests about exit and entry points. Sayer Al-Shehmri, who runs a shop renting tents to the public, said: “The tents I rent out are made of flammable fabric. This sudden decision by the ministry for only fire-proof tents will see owners of these shops suffer huge losses, especially since their peak season is in Ramadan.” He said most tents are locally manufactured and are rented out for between SR350 and SR400 a day. He appealed to the authorities to reconsider their decision. Fahd Al-Hamid, who has been in the business for more than three decades, said the size of the tent market in Riyadh is SR5 million and about SR1.5 billion nationwide. __
