Najma’s Gulf Cinema complex, a popular hangout for low-income expats, has closed without notice for an indeterminate amount of time, the Peninsula reports.

No re-opening date has been set, but officials at the movie theater denied rumors that it would be demolished to make way for newer projects, and say it will be back to business within “a few weeks.”

As the newspaper highlights though, even a temporary closure of the Gulf and Doha cinemas does pose an issue for the thousands of “bachelor” workers from the Indian subcontinent who visit.

The problem isn’t just a matter of cost – with more than 2,000 seats offered at lower fares than mall theaters – but also because they are typically not allowed into the upscale retail outlets on weekends and have few other recreational options available.

Thoughts?