Khaberni - In an increasing number of Arab universities, some everyday scenes carry meanings that go beyond their apparent simplicity; one of these scenes is the public occurrence of smoking among some female students. This presence is not met with noise or broad controversy, but it attracts attention as an indicator of a silent transformation in the Arab university scene, a transformation that deserves attention and study.
Discussing this phenomenon does not stem from targeting female students, nor from comparisons between males and females, nor is it related to the discourse of personal freedom that is often invoked when discussing such issues. It comes within the framework of monitoring a social reality that is taking shape within an educational environment that is supposed to foster awareness and responsible behavior. The question posed is not who engages in the behavior, but why it has become visible and frequent in a space that until recently was devoid of such scenes.
In the past, public smoking within Arab societies was socially rejected, and this view was sufficient to keep it out of the public space, especially in educational environments. This rejection was not the result of legislation or measures, but an expression of a collective consciousness that sees smoking as a harmful behavior that does not conform with the public taste or with the image of a university student. As a result, its presence remained limited and not noticeable, and it did not turn into a phenomenon susceptible to observation.
Today, however, the scene has changed in a number of Arab universities. Smoking has moved from secrecy to openness, and is now practiced without embarrassment in some university circles. This shift raises multiple questions: What has changed in the Arab society's view of this behavior? Are we facing a change in values or in their ability to control? And why does this scene no longer provoke the disdain that previously accompanied it?
These questions gain depth when the phenomenon is viewed in its broader context. Is what happens inside Arab universities a result of specific internal transformations, or a reflection of global influences transcending borders? To what extent have social media, with its imported images and behavioral patterns, contributed to redefining what is acceptable and what is not for young segments in Arab societies?
The role of general silence is also highlighted as a factor that cannot be ignored. Has the absence of serious discussion about the phenomenon contributed to its normalization? And has overlooking turned into a form of unannounced acceptance? When the question is absent, does repeated behavior become part of daily reality without undergoing any intellectual or social review?
Asking these questions is not aimed at issuing judgments or sparking controversy, but to open an objective discussion about a social transformation that has become tangible in Arab universities. Smoking, as a behavior with known health and social impacts, remains no longer a private matter when it becomes public within educational institutions, but transforms into a public issue that requires a deeper understanding of the context that produced it.
In conclusion, this scene attracts attention without noise inside Arab universities, but it raises significant questions about the directions of change in Arab societies and the limits of what is acceptable in them. Are we facing a transient phenomenon imposed by a particular phase, or a long-term transformation in behavior patterns? The answer to these questions begins with the recognition of the phenomenon, followed by opening the door to calm and responsible inquiry before this silent scene turns into a permanent reality that no longer attracts any attention.
