hijab requirements Riyadh

Most of places are okay women go out without covering hair.

As long you didn't go out alone you will be okay 😊

It's kind of ok only till the Muttawa catches hold 

just cover it for a namesake and you're good to go...

It's safer to go out with your head covered; esp. when you have eye-catching white hair.

You can go out without your head covered, but keep a scarf in your purse in case you are politely asked to cover your head....I have never been asked to in 3 years in Jeddah and I have friends who have since moved to Riyadh who don't cover.

Well there is no restriction to covering head at all, and no one going to ask you anything unless you wearing abaya and it's covering your full figure. If you respect Islamic culture and other women not to point out you in the middle of mall or in street, than you should keep on scarf around your neck so it's may help you feel comfort.  ''During Adan when Muslim called by prayer, use that scarf to cover your head for unless Adan finish, it will maybe blessed you from Allah'' , have a good day sister

I love this topic, it's my absolute favorite what stressedmama said...

and yes you don't have to wear black abaya, it can be any color or shape or size

hamudi wrote:

and yes you don't have to wear black abaya, it can be any color or shape or size

Are you sure about "size". WIll zero size or anything close do? 

TheLegendLeads wrote:

hamudi wrote:

and yes you don't have to wear black abaya, it can be any color or shape or size

Are you sure about "size". WIll zero size or anything close do? 

by size I meant as in batman cape

some women like it body fitting....

Oh Ok. I was thinking height; and you, breadth

By the way, some time back, the municipality confiscated so many "body-fitting" abayas from commercial centers in Riyadh calling them "inappropriate".

haha...

in Rio yes, but Jeddah "ghair" 

WOW, some people feel the urge to say something even when they have no idea what they are talking about. Carebear Morgan, i am a Muslim girl and i always wear my head scarf so i don't know the consequences. But, I've seen a lot of westerners, Filipinos and even Arabs every where that choose not to wear the head scarf. So, personally, i think it is alright not to. But i advise you only hear from the people that are same like you who have lived here and walk through this experience and you will find a lot of them here. I am sure they will gladly help.

Ayaa B wrote:

WOW, some people feel the urge to say something even when they have no idea what they are talking about. Carebear Morgan, i am a Muslim girl and i always wear my head scarf so i don't know the consequences. But, I've seen a lot of westerners, Filipinos and even Arabs every where that choose not to wear the head scarf. So, personally, i think it is alright not to. But i advise you only hear from the people that are same like you who have lived here and walk through this experience and you will find a lot of them here. I am sure they will gladly help.

A few muslim girls also don't wear the hijab

FYI

I know, and anyone can choose the way he/she want to live life. And i know some of you will say it's a sin.... and bla bla bla. Even the girls that don't wear the hijab know's that. And the funny thing is every body sins but some sins are obvious and easy to judge. so, you don't have the right to judge people just because they sin different than you.

Ayaa B wrote:

I know, and anyone can choose the way he/she want to live life. And i know some of you will say it's a sin.... and bla bla bla. Even the girls that don't wear the hijab know's that. And the funny thing is every body sins but some sins are obvious and easy to judge. so, you don't have the right to judge people just because they sin different than you.

nah, i guess you're steering the subject to another topic.

let it be

lol, actually you are the one who tried to change the subject. there was no need to mention Muslim girls    just gave a reply for that because you tagged me to that post.
Have a good day sir 

Hi Carebear Morgan,

Do you need some more information please?

Priscilla

Priscilla wrote:

Hi Carebear Morgan,

Do you need some more information please?

Priscilla

I think she's left the thread seeing all the replies 

I've not left thread.....I was asleep!
Still in Arizona, 10 hrs behind you!
   I do apreciate the answers. 
Have many many more questions.

Thank  you. That makes a good point as blending in is what I wish to do

Hello Carebear, I am also a Western woman who arrived in Riyadh in March 2014. I have found that adding a scarf to my wearing of the abaya is much appreciated by the local population. I am an English teacher in an institute, and have had many students tell me how "beautiful" I look in my Saudi-customs outfit, and they don't mean they like my multi-colored cloth, because I just picked up some plain black items from Suq Taiba. I prefer to be respected and welcomed from the beginning of every relationship. You know what they say about "first impressions." And who wants a run-in with the religious police?

Than you very much for this answer!
It sounds like we have the same thinking on this.
Everyone has been very helpful.
My wish is to fit in, be respectful and reverent.
I hope to meet some of you when I get to Riyadh

Good day!

As a very fair skinned Westerner I found that covering up and "blending in" does have its perks! Trying to keep a low profile in this country makes life more bearable. It also excludes a lot of unwanted stares from the local and Asian males around here... Just saying!

Good luck! This country has its challenges but also a lot of beauty.

Stay Covered (with dignity)

Be the queen of your king (husband),

Thank you.💞

Hi Carebear,

First - 25 years experience of the Middle East teaches you one thing, things change.  Today it's one rule, tomorrow it's another.

You also have to consider your circumstances, which are very relevant to this discussion.  Are you Muslim?  If so then you will be expected to wear the Hijab, if not it is purely up to you.

Are you on a Diplomatic posting?  If so then it is unlikely you will be out at night in the areas you would be asked to cover.  If you are a nurse, again it is unlikely you will be out out night in the areas you would be asked to cover.

During the day it is common for nearly all western women to go without the Hijab.

And each nationality is treated differently, yes very true I'm afraid to say, a Filipino will not be treated the same as a Westerner etc.

Regarding the going out at night, the simple reason most people (westerners) don't do it is because of the traffic.  It is dreadful.  If you are a housewife then best use the compound bus, do the malls during the morning and rest for the rest of the day.

Regarding the religious police (or the members of the Commission for the promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice).  There are new rules in place only announced last week.

Here are some links to the story:

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-ara … -1.1710025http://www.siasat.com/news/saudi-orders … ce-945703/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article … olice.html

The simple fact is do what you want, within reason, you will have to wear the Abaya, that's a given.  I have several friends who are platinum and honey blonde and they don't wear the hijab.  And lord forbid I tell my wife to wear one.  The one thing they all do though is carry the Abaya scarf and when asked they will drape it over their head, until the person who asked them to do so has gone round the corner and then it comes off again.  But that was in the days of the old religious police, they can't even do that now...

Simply put, don't worry to much about it, wait till you get here, and then once you have got over the initial shock of things, find your own way to do what you feel comfortable with.

best regards
Seán