SUDAN: Shisha smoking makes quiet reappearance in Khartoum

Record ID: 437169

  • Title: SUDAN: Shisha smoking makes quiet reappearance in Khartoum
  • Date: 3rd May 2013
  • Summary: KHARTOUM, SUDAN (MAY 01, 2013) (REUTERS) WAITER SERVING SHISHA TO CUSTOMERS IN HUBBLE-BUBBLE CAFE VARIOUS OF CUSTOMERS SMOKING SHISHA MAJID HASSAN, OWNER OF HUBBLE-BUBBLE CAFE SMOKING SHISHA WATER BOILING INSIDE SHISHA GLASS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic), MAJID HASSAN, OWNER, HUBBLE-BUBBLE CAFE SAYING: "The law bans smoking of the shisha in public places, communal spaces are clearly labelled, but restaurants are not among them. Despite that we are subject to inspection (from the authorities), just like other places that deal in shisha services, including hotels that have authorization. VARIOUS OF CUSTOMERS SMOKING SHISHA (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic), MOHAMMED ADIL, CUSTOMER AT HUBBLE-BUBBLE CAFE SAYING: "It is well known that the cost of this service (shisha) is very high because cafe like this one are rare in Khartoum and generally in Sudan." VARIOUS OF CUSTOMERS SMOKING AND BLOWING SMOKE
  • Embargoed: 18th May 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Sudan
  • Country: Sudan
  • Topics: Lifestyle
  • Reuters ID: LVA8X6B0OI3MCSRGX268PKSSA1Y1
  • Story Text: For some Sudanese, the tedium of the evening hours is finally over - their favourite shisha cafe has reopened after a two-year break.
    Khartoum city authorities revoked the licences of shisha cafes in 2011 after radical preachers said the practice - which involves inhaling flavoured tobacco, or shisha, through a water pipe also known as a hookah or arghila - not only damaged the health but also provided unmarried men and women an opportunity to mix.
    Enormously popular across the Middle East and in North Africa, shisha smoking is frowned upon in conservative Muslim countries such as Sudan or Saudi Arabia on "morality" grounds.
    But the realities of Sudan's moribund business environment and economy since South Sudan seceded in 2011 mean it is creeping back into daily life.
    Local authorities have allowed shisha smoking back in touristic hotels and restaurants and they tend to look the other way in some other venues.
    At Hubble-Bubble cafe patrons puff away and enjoy the reappearance of their old pass time.
    The return of the cafes is welcome news for the young Sudanese who complain about the capital's dull nightlife.
    Majid Hassan the owner of the cafe often joins regular clients for a smoke, he says although the government is trying to soften its Islamist image, many hotel and restaurant owners are wary of any future swing in sentiment.
    "The law bans smoking of the shisha in public places, communal spaces are clearly labelled, but restaurants are not among them. Despite that we are subject to inspection (from the authorities), just like other places that deal in shisha services, including hotels that have authorization," said Hassan.
    Unlike Egypt, where Cairo's Nile banks bustle with diners, there are hardly any cafes on the river promenade in Khartoum. The dusty streets are deserted from 11 p.m., when most restaurants and the country's only shopping malls close.
    Revellers say lack of a dynamic entertainment industry has contributed to high shisha prices. They spend at least 20 Sudanese pounds (3 US dollars) per day on the water pipes.
    "It is well known that the cost of this service (shisha) is very high because cafe like this one are rare in Khartoum and generally in Sudan," said Mohammed Adil, a customer at Hubble-Bubble cafe Other restaurants offer shisha but, without official licences, keep a low profile to avoid attracting attention.
    Hotel owners hope the business of shisha will offset a sharp drop in the occupancy rates since southern secession.
    The loss of oil reserves has drained the government's coffers and hit spending on infrastructure, driving away executives from China and other Asian countries who used to do a good business in Sudan. Most Western firms shun Sudan due to U.S. sanctions over its human rights record.
    However, Omer al-Fadil owner of Papa Costa restaurant says the water pipes will not be featured on the menu of his establishment anytime soon.
    Fadil says he once tried to offer shisha but it ended up being bad for his restaurant business, even after accounting for the extra money it brought in, because of its associations with loose morals and independent women, even prostitution.
    "All types of people here smoke shisha, even women come to the restaurant and ask for it and because this habit breeds immorality, we stopped offering shisha service in order to maintain the reputation of this restaurant and uphold its standard."
    But the relaxation of the water pipe ban doesn't mean Khartoum is not still a very conservative place. Alcohol is banned, and those caught brewing beer at home are flogged.
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