Amman municipality issues regulations for Ramadan, World Cup tents

AMMAN –– The Greater Amman Municipality on Sunday issued regulations for café owners who want to open a tent for customers wishing to watch World Cup matches or spend the evening after breaking their fast during Ramadan.

The Brazil World Cup starts on June 12, while Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar when Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset, is expected to begin by the end of June.

With some football fans unable to afford buying the World Cup package from the satellite channel with the exclusive broadcast rights in the Middle East, many opt to go cheer for their favourite teams at cafés.

Ali Hadidi, the director of GAM’s professional licences and promotions department, said business owners seeking to set up a tent for their customers during these two occasions must have a licensed café, restaurant or hotel. 

“The tent may be set up beside the property,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone on Sunday. 

The municipality also allows café owners to open tents on an empty plot of land far from their properties, provided that they abide by certain conditions.  

“They must obtain approval from GAM’s traffic department and the owner of the land,” Hadidi said. 

He noted that parking spaces should be available for customers to avoid the possibility of creating traffic congestion. 

Business owners can submit their applications to GAM area directors, who will provide them with the final approval. 

“GAM covers 22 areas, and the directors of these areas will allow traders to set up the tents,” he added. 

Hadidi noted that tents must operate between sunset and sunrise during the World Cup and Ramadan. 

Business owners must also pay GAM JD1,000 as a refundable guarantee to ensure that they remove their tents one week after the end of Ramadan. 

Meanwhile, the municipality will allow bakeries to set up tents that prepare and sell qatayef, the special Ramadan pancakes made with a yeast-risen batter including flour. 

Stores selling home appliances and electronic devices are also allowed to set up tents that sell Ramadan decorations during the holy month.