Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – The scorching Arabian sun beats down relentlessly during the day, creating an illusion of quietude. However, this deceptive calm masks a vibrant, albeit clandestine, social life that unfolds under the cover of darkness.
Our news crew recently visited Jeddah for the Red Sea International Film Festival and discovered a unique cultural dynamic where social interaction flourishes after sunset.
While most South Africans would be asleep or enjoying nightlife, the streets of Jeddah come alive around 10 pm. Coffee shops fill with young Saudis seeking social interaction, a stark contrast to the daytime stillness. Alcohol is prohibited, shaping social gatherings around coffee and conversation.
Even adultery, or "umjolo" as it's known in South Africa, are strictly forbidden and punishable by law. Yet, this hasn't extinguished the desire for connection. Highways become unexpected meeting places for those seeking forbidden romance.
Aisha, who preferred not to disclose her surname, explained the nightly routine: “We drive around the area and meet new people now and then. There's no need to do anything about it,” she said, highlighting the careful balance between social interaction and adherence to strict social norms.
Diego Perez, a Mexican national residing in Saudi Arabia for over five years, shared his experiences adjusting to this unique social landscape.
“I’m now enjoying it. Coffee spots are my favourite because I enjoy different coffees while socialising and networking,” he said.
He also described the subtle yet significant shift in social dynamics at night: “Women put on their makeup and let their hair loose at night to see us men, and we also do the same. That’s the least we can do, just watch.”
He added that exchanging contact details through apps is a common occurrence in these nighttime encounters. The increased traffic at night facilitates these interactions, providing opportunities for brief conversations between drivers.
“The traffic becomes crazy at night because everyone is busy, so it becomes easy for us to talk in our cars when we see someone we are interested in,” Diego explained.
This clandestine social scene exists in stark contrast to the harsh realities of the country's legal system concerning adultery. In 2015, the world witnessed the case of a 45-year-old Sri Lankan woman working as a domestic helper in Riyadh.
Convicted of adultery with a fellow Sri Lankan migrant worker, she initially faced the death penalty by stoning. However, after an appeal, her sentence was reduced to three years imprisonment. Her male counterpart received a lesser punishment of 100 lashes due to his unmarried status.
Harsha de Silva, Sri Lanka’s acting foreign minister at the time, expressed relief at the outcome.
“The government of Sri Lanka is very happy to announce that the appeal for clemency on the sentence was successful and the Sri Lankan national will have to serve a reduced term in prison,” he told reporters in Colombo.
