| Kippreport.com

Shaving no more

September 8, 2009 2:38 by kippreport

In 2007, Ahmad Huzzazi started a salon in Riyadh, and was celebrated for being the country’s first trained barber. Today, he has decided to lay down his scissors, say local reports.

“I decided to close my salon in the Al-Rawdah neighborhood in Riyadh because of two reasons. Firstly, no Saudi patronizes my salon, and secondly my partner left me alone,” Huzzazi said.

Huzzazi had taken a loan of SR55,000 (around $14,700)from the Abdul Latif Jameel Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises to set up the salon. But he has been able to repay only SR15,000 ($4,000). “I could not repay the loan in full because of the failure of my venture and other obligations,” he said.

If Saudi’s first barber was forced to close his shop, Kipp wonders what will happen to other nationals who decide to follow his path.

Tags: barber, Saudi