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Do I HAVE to wear the hijab?

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Kris1982

I was out with my husband last night and we were stopped by a man and I was told I MUST cover my hair. I was wearing an abaya and I thought that was all that was absolutely mandatory here.  Has this happened to other western women ? Am I the only that is walking around bare headed?!?!  We live in Khafji , which is fairly small, but I've seen other women outside without any head covering. I don't mind wearing a loose scarf if I must, but I'm curious about what's going on with other women in other areas?

stressedmom

I don't wear a scarf, but keep one in my purse in case I am asked to cover my head. So far (meaning a few weeks) I have not had to use it. I am in Jeddah and I have been told it is a little more relaxed here.

Alliecat

Small areas are more conservative.  You don't HAVE to wear one but mutawa (and regular guys who freakin' *think* they are mutawa) try to flex their muscle by  telling you to cover your head. 

Rather than get into a big fight, just cover it for a few seconds until they leave and then uncover.  It's happened to me a few times in Riyadh and I did as I just advised you (all of us do this, actually).

Kris1982

Thanks ladies!! Good answers :) I'll just keep a scarf with me whenever I'm out then .

ahelpfulsaudi

Next Time Ask for their ID, and indicate that you will report them. You will see how fast those muscles they try to flex disappear

Primadonna

I never wear a scarf when I go out but I guess that Jordan is totally different then other countries.
But their are some cases I wear it, indeed loosely on my head  just for the respect and nothing else.

It seems to me it is just weird that a strange men can tell you what to wear. This is the opposite of what the religion says: no force!
In these cases respect comes from one side.

stressedmom

You could also buy an Abaya with a hood.

Alliecat

Primadonna wrote:

I never wear a scarf when I go out but I guess that Jordan is totally different then other countries.
But their are some cases I wear it, indeed loosely on my head  just for the respect and nothing else.

It seems to me it is just weird that a strange men can tell you what to wear. This is the opposite of what the religion says: no force!
In these cases respect comes from one side.


I've been to Jordan--totally different from Saudia. In Saudia, it's often based on intimidation.

Local Brownie

Alliecat wrote:

Small areas are more conservative.  You don't HAVE to wear one but mutawa (and regular guys who freakin' *think* they are mutawa) try to flex their muscle by  telling you to cover your head.


Allie
Any one can be a Mutawa, Mutawa means "religious" and not the religious police.
It is being far right wing person who is extremely religious, as long as a Mutawa isn't accompanied by an actual cop he's not part of the religious police. Just wanted to clear that out =)

Alliecat

Local Brownie wrote:
Alliecat wrote:

Small areas are more conservative.  You don't HAVE to wear one but mutawa (and regular guys who freakin' *think* they are mutawa) try to flex their muscle by  telling you to cover your head.


Allie
Any one can be a Mutawa, Mutawa means "religious" and not the religious police.
It is being far right wing person who is extremely religious, as long as a Mutawa isn't accompanied by an actual cop he's not part of the religious police. Just wanted to clear that out =)


Thanks, appreciate that--for most expats, 'mutawa,' 'mutaween' means the religious police.  In fact, if you google 'religious police Saudi Arabia,' you get the word 'mutawa' over and over again.

Local Brownie

Alliecat wrote:
Local Brownie wrote:
Alliecat wrote:

Small areas are more conservative.  You don't HAVE to wear one but mutawa (and regular guys who freakin' *think* they are mutawa) try to flex their muscle by  telling you to cover your head.


Allie
Any one can be a Mutawa, Mutawa means "religious" and not the religious police.
It is being far right wing person who is extremely religious, as long as a Mutawa isn't accompanied by an actual cop he's not part of the religious police. Just wanted to clear that out =)


Thanks, appreciate that--for most expats, 'mutawa,' 'mutaween' means the religious police.  In fact, if you google 'religious police Saudi Arabia,' you get the word 'mutawa' over and over again.


My pleasure Allie, you're right -as MOST of the time- expats confuse the two, my advice is to just completely and utterly ignore them, with or without a cop, just deny them any recognition of their existence and they will leave you alone eventually

Kris1982

To approach me while I was with my husband , I thought was disrespectful. I could maybe understand if I was out unaccompanied and he's thinking of my safety or something , but that wasn't the case. I've only been here a few weeks and for the most part, I absolutely love it. I knew there would be things that I would have to adjust to . I'm sure this will happen again...... But hopefully next time I will be better prepared.

maryan ladybird

Hiya,

I live in Arar, its a small town with a centre point to shop but no mall lol. This place is quite conservative we were told that we should wear the niqab also (the facial covering). I guess this is so that we don't bring attention to ourselves here. Apart from this its absolutely fine. To be honest I might wear it only when I leave the university as you can get a lot of attention from the waiting cars as we head home.

I hope you continue to enjoy your experience.

Alliecat

My attitude has always been, if they want to look at me, LOOK at me! Screw it.  I guess I like to think that we are showing that we're not ashamed or afraid or whatever it is they think we're supposed to be feeling as woman.

modjo

Alliecat wrote:

I've been to Jordan--totally different from Saudia. In Saudia, it's often based on intimidation.


Intimidation. Yep, that's the right word for it. :one

ahelpfulsaudi

Alliecat wrote:
Local Brownie wrote:
Alliecat wrote:

Small areas are more conservative.  You don't HAVE to wear one but mutawa (and regular guys who freakin' *think* they are mutawa) try to flex their muscle by  telling you to cover your head.


Allie
Any one can be a Mutawa, Mutawa means "religious" and not the religious police.
It is being far right wing person who is extremely religious, as long as a Mutawa isn't accompanied by an actual cop he's not part of the religious police. Just wanted to clear that out =)


Thanks, appreciate that--for most expats, 'mutawa,' 'mutaween' means the religious police.  In fact, if you google 'religious police Saudi Arabia,' you get the word 'mutawa' over and over again.


the Literal meaning of "mutawa" is "volunteer". in today's society it is associated with the religious police, but don't ask me why.

If anyone stops you and tells you to do some thing.

1- Ask them for an ID showing that they have authority in this matter.
2- if not ask for their ID to report to the police (mostly a bluff, but you have the right to do so)
3- If they are apologize do what they say to avoid hassle, but if they are rude or impolite report them.

ahelpfulsaudi

Local Brownie wrote:
Alliecat wrote:
Local Brownie wrote:


Allie
Any one can be a Mutawa, Mutawa means "religious" and not the religious police.
It is being far right wing person who is extremely religious, as long as a Mutawa isn't accompanied by an actual cop he's not part of the religious police. Just wanted to clear that out =)


Thanks, appreciate that--for most expats, 'mutawa,' 'mutaween' means the religious police.  In fact, if you google 'religious police Saudi Arabia,' you get the word 'mutawa' over and over again.


My pleasure Allie, you're right -as MOST of the time- expats confuse the two, my advice is to just completely and utterly ignore them, with or without a cop, just deny them any recognition of their existence and they will leave you alone eventually


that is actually a bad advice, because you don't want to escalate a situation. The best thing to do is comply with authorities, report vigilantes, and if the authorities are being abusive report them as well.

Alliecat

ahelpfulsaudi wrote:

1- Ask them for an ID showing that they have authority in this matter.
2- if not ask for their ID to report to the police (mostly a bluff, but you have the right to do so)
3- If they are apologize do what they say to avoid hassle, but if they are rude or impolite report them.


You are forgetting ONE very important thing:  Many (most?) of us do NOT speak Arabic.  If we knew the language, we could stick up for ourselves but since we don't, we can't do any of this!! 

Simplest thing is to momentarily comply and then take it off. I've only been approached a few times and they NEVER had a policeman with them.  So it's some local yokel charging around the mall, talking to strange women, sometimes being loud and rude .. for what reason?  To make us cover our heads .. for 10 seconds?  Seems like they're doing it not out of religious conviction but, rather, a power trip, and I certainly can't respect them.

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