QAT: Pros & Cons [Archives:1999/19/Culture]
By: Asir Al-Soudani
While I was writing my column, “Ma yaktubuhu al mukhazzinoon” (What those who chew qat write) in al Raqib news-paper, I asked my colleague, Suhair, whether the new issue of “Yemen Without Qat” was released or not. Then Mr. Taha Abdul Samad, the Editing Secretary intruded saying, “What would you think if we founded a society for the friends of qat?” He was referring to my qat-chewing habit. I replied sarcastically, “Personally I would back such a society, the same as I did the other one – Yemen without qat.” Not only would I support it, I would be thrilled to promote the idea. I support most of the activities and issues that show the harm of qat.
Despite the abilities of Mr. Ahmed Jabir Afeef, the founder and president of Al-Afeef Cultural Institute, in promoting his society “Yemen Without Qat”,, I still wonder why he has not yet presented a short and medium-term strategies in fighting qat.
I consider myself a member of the “Yemen Without Qat” society. I do believe that the main factor in keeping Yemen behind is qat. But, at the same time, I chew qat everyday, and sometimes twice a day. A horrible habit that keeps me awake till the early morning hours. But these are productive hours as I write one or two articles at this time.
This column is also one of the products of these inspirational hours. My regular column, “Ma yaktubuhu al mukhaznoon,” adopted from an article entitled “Ma yaktubuhu al Na’imoon” (meaning what sleepers write) by Hussein Al Awadhi on “Al Mustakilah” newspaper.
Most of my readers might ignore the fact that I do fight against qat, but in my own way. Though my ways might not conform with those of the Yemen Without Qat society.
Qat is a national mania; a problem that will take time to eradicate. The government and the people should jointly accomplish this task. Qat is a dangerous virus which has strongly intruded into our lives.
When fighting qat, which should ask: What are the substitutes that chewers are offered?
For instance, are there cultural and youth centers, are there parks and public gardens with various activities, are there libraries, theaters, music centers artistic galleries, are there language centers, dance halls, sports arenas, etc. Are such facilities available through-out the whole country. Could the government, private sector, or whoever provide such facilities? Personally, I doubt it. The majority of qat merchants and farmers are senior officials in the state. Are they willing to go on a national campaign that will end up in reducing their income from such a profitable business?
Do the Yemen Without Qat Society volunteers know that a large number of people depend for their livelihood in producing, transporting, marketing qat. Do we have alternative businesses for these people?
These are some questions that I submit to the “Yemen Without Qat” Society. I hope that they have thought about them, and I hope they have answers!
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