Saudi Arabia Controversy: Female News anchor flees city after ‘indecent dress’ probe

Saudi Arabia female controversy

After hogging all the positive headlines for lifting the driving ban on women, Saudi Arabia is back in controversy after a female reporter was forced to flee the kingdom after authorities accused her of dressing “indecently” for a broadcast.

An investigation has now been set into place by the authorities as the lady in question, Shareen al-Rifae had allegedly violated the dress code for women. She worked by Al Aan TV, which is a Dubai-based TV station.

The video which is now being investigated into, Rifae is seen to be wearing clothes which ‘violates’ the stringent regulations in the kingdom. She is seen wearing a loose scarf with a white abaya, a traditional dress, which was open, showing her trousers and blouse beneath it.

As per the rules in Saudi Arabia, a woman must wear an abaya and a hijab, which is a Muslim headscarf whenever they are out in the the public space.

Also, if the woman is a foreigner, she should then wear an abaya, but the hijab is not a mandatory attire. It has to be legally followed in the kingdom, failing which will lead to prosecution.

However, Rifae, the lady in question has not vanished into oblivion.

She shared the image of her passport on Snapchat.

Further she added: “I was wearing decent clothes, and God will reveal the truth of what has been said to me.”

Saudi news site Ajel has however claimed that Rifae has returned to the country.