Shisha out of cafés' doors in Casablanca

Morocco TIMES 8/12/2005 | 9:55 am


A total of 500 hookah pipes (water pipes) were seized in more than 20 cafés and other public places in the Derb Omar district in Casablanca. Café owners are fully aware that narghile consumption is absolutely prohibited in public places. Yet, they still serve it, reported the French language daily Le Matin.

One year has elapsed since the execution of Casablanca's wali's decision to prohibit the use of Shisha in all public places. In Casablanca alone, 3000 cafés served narghile to its clients. Now they have to put up with the new law. .

The application of the new law has been firmly followed. Owners of cafés, who did not respect it, risked trial and even their cafés' being closed down.

An official of the Wilaya said that the public consumption of Shisha may cause the spread of contagious diseases such as tuberculosis.

On the other hand, several consumers reject this decision and described the Shisha as “an essential element of the art of living” since it helps one to relax, thanks to the sound of bubbles and smoke.

Shisha or hubble-bubble or narghile, which is known by different names, is a culture exported from the Middle East, namely from Egypt.