Associated Press’ Riyadh Bureau Chief Donna Abu-Nasr writes about the new abayas to be found in Saudi shops. She notes that they’ve become very popular—though quite expensive—and have caused a bit of commotion in the conservative country.
AP Photo/Hassan Ammar
Color, glitter enliven Saudi women’s black abayas
DONNA ABU-NASRJIDDAH, Saudi Arabia — For years, the only thing sold openly in Saudi stores selling women’s cloaks were of the all-black, drab covering variety. Now, streaks of vibrant color, bands of glittering crystal _ even sheaths of sexy leopard skin prints _ are showing up on the racks.
And that’s not all. Women are snapping them up and even sometimes wearing them in public.
For stores to openly stock the new generation of cloaks, or abayas, and for some women to wear them in public are not just fashion statements. They are risky acts of defiance in a nation where the powerful religious police have for years raided stores to confiscate “illegal” abayas as part of their mandate as guardians of the kingdom’s rigid interpretation of Islamic teachings.
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October:01:2008 - 08:44
But no mention of a man’s responsibility to mind his own business. I guess it’s easier to just blame the woman and her clothing.
October:01:2008 - 08:44
It’s always easier to blame somebody else. Of course, that may not be the right thing to do and it rarely solves the problems it creates.
October:01:2008 - 08:44
Here is an interesting opinion on Saudi Women’s clothing http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7651231.stm from a cleric who feels that one eye cannot be made alluring – while two eyes can be made-up to look seductive
October:01:2008 - 08:44
This woman in the picture (to me) looks moderately conservative, stylish and HAPPY. Go girl!
You are Superbad in a good way and it not your fault if someone want your McLovin….
Believe me if you were a tented big blob of black covered from head to toe you will still get someone wanting and yearning your McLovin
October:01:2008 - 08:44
Given their obsession with the topic I must ask, do these clerics ever think of anything but sex? This guy is seriously disturbed.
October:01:2008 - 08:44
its not her fault that men are staring..right. Agreed. You can dress like a slut if u wanna…by all means but even in the western world thats not acceptable.. http://www.boingboing.net/2008/05/12/teen-in-skimpy-dress-1.html
Anyways, some links that may be of interest to your readers.
http://www.montrealmirror.com/ARCHIVES/2003/062603/news3.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtJMdXM5oIk
October:01:2008 - 08:44
olivetheoil that kinda true in that many religious people think and talk about is SEX all the time due to lack of satellite…
And Teha some clothing or attire may be considered inappropriate due to place and culture. However, I find women having or being forced to cover completely draped from head to toe in the same drab color an extreme as do I find the picture of the “prom dress” you posted another extreme way out there in outer space example. However, if I were in charge I wouldn’t prohibit the prom dress. I just wonder how she feels wearing that dress…I imagine she is sticking out like a sore thumb but perhaps she feels confident and happy in such attire.
If people don’t like it (the prom dress) they don’t have to look at it! That is the way I feel about it personally. However lucky for her she has a million other prom dress choices to choose from.
I have no problem with what anyone wants to wear…what I do have a problem with is people dictating and restricting what people can wear or not wear.
October:01:2008 - 08:44
And Teha if you believe that clothing is what makes someone a slut then you need to learn a thing or to. It is a person’s behavior not their clothing. Clothing may be an indicator or perhaps a way to filing people into categories.
However, I pointed out to my husband nice families in a restaurant with I am sure were God fearing decent women with their children and husbands (They were Syrian) and I started asking my husband in a loud voice I asked him, “Is she dressed like a slut?” “Is that one a slut” She must be I mean she has a sparling decoration on the back of her robe or OMG her scarf is pink GOD FORBID.
I mean can you honestly look at the picture of this woman in this photo and say she is dressed like a slut? I think it is more than clothing that makes someone a “slut” it can be body language saying something along the lines of “Please take advantage of me and don’t call me in the morning”. I mean even husbands can do that to women who are dressed in garbage bags on a daily basis. RIGHT?
October:01:2008 - 08:44
Right Sparky!
(as if anyone who knows you would dare to say anything else)
Anybody calling the lady from this photo a slut is an idiot.
What do you mena drab Sparky? I love black! I have had to put my clothes in labelled boxes, because I can’t find anything: it’s all black! Black lace, black gauze, black stockings, black sequins, black beads, black…..
October:01:2008 - 08:44
Aafke, are you sure you don’t live in NY? It’s all black all the time! I know my fondness for bright garish reds is considered fashion suicide.
October:01:2008 - 08:44
I like black…but I am a Spring. I had a color analysis done
I have a color wheel concerning all the colors that are best for me and black is not one of the them unless it is mixed with a little of another color especially the closer it is to my face. However a Winter person or a Autumn might have black on their color wheel.
You are funny Aafke…..