SAUDI ARABIA – Women in Saudi Arabia need not wear head cover or the abaya,as long as their attire is “decent and respectful”, the Kingdom’sreform-minded crown prince said.
With the ascent to power of young Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the Kingdomhas seen an expansion in women’s rights including a decision to allow womento attend mixed public sporting events and the right to drive cars fromthis summer.
“The laws are very clear and stipulated that women wear decent, respectfulclothing, like men,” Prince Mohammed said in an interview with CBStelevision aired late on Sunday.
“This, however, does not particularly specify a black abaya or a black headcover. The decision is entirely left for women to decide what type ofdecent and respectful attire she chooses to wear.”
A senior cleric said last month that women should dress modestly, but thisdid not necessitate wearing the abaya.