Does a Saudi ministry lift the veil obligation? Vigilance

Two women walk past portraits of King Salman and Prince Mohammed bin Salman on February 5 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

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• The Algerian news website argues that "the obligation to wear the veil in public space" has been lifted for Saudis and foreigners visiting the country.

• The site is based on a document said to emanate from the Saudi Interior Ministry.

• While dress rules have been changed, the government has not ordered such a change.

Has the wearing of the veil ceased to be compulsory for Saudi women and foreigners visiting the country?

This is what the Algerian news site announces, on the basis of a document presented as emanating from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of the Interior.

"The [Saudi] Interior Ministry said in a note that as part of the reforms undertaken in the country," it was decided to lift the obligation to wear the veil in public space for women Saudi women and foreigners living in the country, "" writes the site.

The announcement, as well as the document, was relayed on social networks and other sites.

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Contacted by

, the Saudi Arabian Embassy did not respond to our requests.

The authenticity of the document, however, was denied by

, a Saudi newspaper, which relied on Interior Ministry sources.

For visitors, the Saudi Arabian tourism office reminds on its website that men and women should dress modestly.

"Women must cover their shoulders and knees in public," he said.

Failure to comply with these rules may result in a fine.

Since September 2019, the wearing of the abaya, a long dress, is no longer compulsory for visitors, Ahmed el-Khateed, head of Saudi tourism, told Reuters at the time.

The recommendation is also on the Quai d'Orsay website.

Prince Mohammed ben Salman also made a gesture of openness towards Saudis in March 2018, explaining that wearing the abaya was not required: “The laws are very clear and stipulated in the laws of the Sharia, women should wear decent and respectful clothes, like men, he told CBS TV.

But that doesn't particularly specify [whether to wear] a black abaya or black headgear.

It is entirely up to women to decide what kind of decent and respectful clothing they choose to wear.

"

The statement, however, was followed by little effect: at the end of 2018, Saudi women made known on social media their opposition to wearing the covering garment.

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