Pubdate: Fri, 18 Nov 2005
Source: Yemen Times (Yemen)
Copyright: 2005 Yemen Times
Contact:  http://yementimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3110
Author: Hakim Almasmari
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Qat

YEMEN: THE POSITIVE ASPECT OF QAT

Continuous reports always mention the negative aspects of Qat, and the
harm that it could cause to the person's health, but what is never
mentioned is what good can the Qat leaf has? I totally agree with the
majority of people that Qat is virtually destroying our health and
family structure, nevertheless, even with all these negative aspects;
it still has its positives.

The Qat leaf has been chewed by Africans and Arabs from as far as the
early 16th century, but never was it seen as an addiction or a
worldwide issue until the end of the 20th century. People chewed Qat
under many excuses, some leisure, some as an addiction, and some as a
chance to get together with family and friends. Consumers openly claim
that it lifts their spirit, sharpens thier thinking and increases
energy. Comparing Qat to other drugs, which are banned in many foreign
countries, Qat seems to have a much less effect than other types of
narcotics, and therefore safer.

A known negative aspect of Qat is that it leads to many diseases
including mouth and lung cancer. But according to some western Qat
chewers in Yemen, Qat in many cases is comparable to a cup or two of
espresso (A heavy kind of coffee drunk in the west). Even when
comparing Qat to cigarettes, its level of danger is far more less then
cigarettes, but on the other hand Qat is banned in many countries,
while government officials and presidents around the world are smoking
cigarettes. According to global researchers, nearly 5.5 million deaths
around the world were caused by smoking cigarettes, while 75% of all
smoking-related death was among men, for they are the greater number
of smokers.

Most Yemenis chew Qat not for the love of the leaf, but rather for
them not having a second option to do during the length of the day. In
a survey conducted with 769 people in the capital Sana'a, 78% admitted
that they chewed Qat for there is nothing else to do, while only 14%
admitted of being addicted to Qat." With the ongoing problems and
phenomena in everyday life in Yemen, it is either chew Qat or commit
suicide", said Ali Nagi a frequent Qat chewer. "It makes us forget our
terrifying situation which we are forced to deal with in everyday
life", he added. Picturing Yemeni's without Qat, I could only imagine
the corruption it would face as most people are unemployed, and when
people don't have jobs to busy them with, this in turn not only opens
the doors of corruption, but those of destruction as well.

Looking at the younger generations point of view, they could be
enlisted into two columns. Many busy themselves with Qat after school
or work, while others busy themselves flocking local streets chasing
after the shadows of women. In this situation Qat chewing is much
preferable as it causes less corruption to society. With the
unemployment level rising and the financial crisis this country has
been witnessing, many prefer to sit at home and indulge in Qat chewing
sessions. Jobs are almost impossible to get a hold of, especially for
the younger generation. The only available jobs are for street
sweeping and garbage picking, and in return only receive $1 per day in
some situations.

"At this age when I work, it is very difficult to bear the load and
pressure put on my shoulders without chewing Qat. In this country,
they give you so much work with little in return", said 60-year-old
laborer Abdul-Nasser Moun'em. "It keeps us really energized. Look
around you, Yemen is mostly made of hard rock buildings, without Qat
we would have to live in houses of wood or plastic", he added. Qat
does lift the spirit of the people and keep them more active. People
usually work in every job opportunity that is available for them. "I
dare any nation to produce more hardworking people, for so little in
return than in Yemen, and Qat plays a vital role in making that
happen", said a carpenter Saleh Ahmed.

Even when mentioning top government officials, President Ali Abdullah
Saleh himself, used to chew Qat occasionally until recently. Talking
on the world scale, Qat has become massively famous that even in
British advertisement; Qat is mentioned in newspaper and magazines
ads. Recently Yemen has been promoting Qat as a tourism item to help
flourish tourism in this culture rich Middle Eastern Country.
Apparently Qat has become famous for its production of excitement,
making people talkative while creating activeness. According to Lewin
(1931), in a survey taken with 51 people, 57% of then became excited
after they chewed Qat for two hours. Many people agree that Qat works
better then most prescriptions to wipe out the sleepiness of the
person. In the past it was even used to ease the pain of hunger in
poor countries throughout Africa.

No doubt that Qat is a tragic issue both our society and economy are
facing, but what is there to do in this poverty spread country where
opportunities are only available for the rich and the elite of
society. People do not want to chew Qat, for they understand the
problems it can bring along to the person, but they also understand
that, if they don't chew Qat they will frustrate themselves even more
by pondering on the problems of everyday life, furthermore a
possibility of losing their minds at a young and tender age, therefore
committing suicide or any such dangerous act. Could there be a better
leisure time activity in Yemen then Qat? Many would say yes, but to
many poor Yemeni citizens, the answer is definitely no.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake