Saudi town hands out shaving blades to residents

Civic officials in a small Saudi town took to the streets to distribute gifts to residents within a promotion drive. The box did not include chocolate or other customary presents but shaving blades, a local newspaper said on Thursday.

The officials from the municipality of the central town of Shaqraa fanned out in the streets to stop cars just after Muslim evening prayers and hand out the presents, the Arabic language daily Aljazirah said.

“We will distribute more than 3,000 shaving tools along with booklets on how to have a clean and safe shave,” said Mohammed Zaid, the municipality’s chairman. “The second stage will include barber shops.”

He said the distribution of such tools is part of a campaign to educate the public on safe shaving as a protection against diseases.

“After the end of this campaign, all barber shops in the city will be required to use these tools,” Zaid said.