RIYADH: Female TV anchors in Saudi Arabia may soon be faced to adhere to a uniform dress code that does not amplify their beauty, Saudi media reported.
The king’s advisory body, the Shoura Council, is reviewing a proposal by the General Commission for Audiovisual Media.
Ibrahim Abu Abat, who co-wrote the proposal, told the Shoura Council women should wear the hijab (headscarf) on air to uphold the kingdom’s conservative Islamic standards, Saudi Gazette reported.
“I receive a lot of questions from Muslims all over the world wondering why our women appear without their hijab [headscarf] in the media,” he was quoted as saying.
“It is embarrassing to not be the best representation of Islam.
“Saudi women must appear with their respectable hijab so we can have a Saudi media that truly represents our beliefs and values.”
The issue became controversial mid-last year when a female anchor appeared without a headscarf during a national news broadcast for the first time on Saudi government-run Al Ekhbariya.
An Al Ekhbariya spokesman said at the time that the woman in the segment was delivering her news bulletin out of the London office and it would not happen again.
“She was not in a studio inside Saudi Arabia and we do not tolerate any transgression of our values and the country’s systems,” Saleh Al Mughailif said, according to Gulf News.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription
