Do I HAVE to wear the hijab?

I don't wear a scarf, but keep one in my purse in case I am asked to cover my head. So far (meaning a few weeks) I have not had to use it. I am in Jeddah and I have been told it is a little more relaxed here.

Small areas are more conservative.  You don't HAVE to wear one but mutawa (and regular guys who freakin' *think* they are mutawa) try to flex their muscle by  telling you to cover your head. 

Rather than get into a big fight, just cover it for a few seconds until they leave and then uncover.  It's happened to me a few times in Riyadh and I did as I just advised you (all of us do this, actually).

Thanks ladies!! Good answers I'll just keep a scarf with me whenever I'm out then .

Next Time Ask for their ID, and indicate that you will report them. You will see how fast those muscles they try to flex disappear

I never wear a scarf when I go out but I guess that Jordan is totally different then other countries.
But their are some cases I wear it, indeed loosely on my head  just for the respect and nothing else.

It seems to me it is just weird that a strange men can tell you what to wear. This is the opposite of what the religion says: no force!
In these cases respect comes from one side.

You could also buy an Abaya with a hood.

Primadonna wrote:

I never wear a scarf when I go out but I guess that Jordan is totally different then other countries.
But their are some cases I wear it, indeed loosely on my head  just for the respect and nothing else.

It seems to me it is just weird that a strange men can tell you what to wear. This is the opposite of what the religion says: no force!
In these cases respect comes from one side.

I've been to Jordan--totally different from Saudia. In Saudia, it's often based on intimidation.

Alliecat wrote:

Small areas are more conservative.  You don't HAVE to wear one but mutawa (and regular guys who freakin' *think* they are mutawa) try to flex their muscle by  telling you to cover your head.

Allie
Any one can be a Mutawa, Mutawa means "religious" and not the religious police.
It is being far right wing person who is extremely religious, as long as a Mutawa isn't accompanied by an actual cop he's not part of the religious police. Just wanted to clear that out

Local Brownie wrote:

Alliecat wrote:

Small areas are more conservative.  You don't HAVE to wear one but mutawa (and regular guys who freakin' *think* they are mutawa) try to flex their muscle by  telling you to cover your head.

Allie
Any one can be a Mutawa, Mutawa means "religious" and not the religious police.
It is being far right wing person who is extremely religious, as long as a Mutawa isn't accompanied by an actual cop he's not part of the religious police. Just wanted to clear that out

Thanks, appreciate that--for most expats, 'mutawa,' 'mutaween' means the religious police.  In fact, if you google 'religious police Saudi Arabia,' you get the word 'mutawa' over and over again.

Alliecat wrote:

Local Brownie wrote:

Alliecat wrote:

Small areas are more conservative.  You don't HAVE to wear one but mutawa (and regular guys who freakin' *think* they are mutawa) try to flex their muscle by  telling you to cover your head.

Allie
Any one can be a Mutawa, Mutawa means "religious" and not the religious police.
It is being far right wing person who is extremely religious, as long as a Mutawa isn't accompanied by an actual cop he's not part of the religious police. Just wanted to clear that out

Thanks, appreciate that--for most expats, 'mutawa,' 'mutaween' means the religious police.  In fact, if you google 'religious police Saudi Arabia,' you get the word 'mutawa' over and over again.

My pleasure Allie, you're right -as MOST of the time- expats confuse the two, my advice is to just completely and utterly ignore them, with or without a cop, just deny them any recognition of their existence and they will leave you alone eventually

To approach me while I was with my husband , I thought was disrespectful. I could maybe understand if I was out unaccompanied and he's thinking of my safety or something , but that wasn't the case. I've only been here a few weeks and for the most part, I absolutely love it. I knew there would be things that I would have to adjust to . I'm sure this will happen again...... But hopefully next time I will be better prepared.

Hiya,

I live in Arar, its a small town with a centre point to shop but no mall lol. This place is quite conservative we were told that we should wear the niqab also (the facial covering). I guess this is so that we don't bring attention to ourselves here. Apart from this its absolutely fine. To be honest I might wear it only when I leave the university as you can get a lot of attention from the waiting cars as we head home.

I hope you continue to enjoy your experience.

My attitude has always been, if they want to look at me, LOOK at me! Screw it.  I guess I like to think that we are showing that we're not ashamed or afraid or whatever it is they think we're supposed to be feeling as woman.

Alliecat wrote:

I've been to Jordan--totally different from Saudia. In Saudia, it's often based on intimidation.

Intimidation. Yep, that's the right word for it.

Alliecat wrote:

Local Brownie wrote:

Alliecat wrote:

Small areas are more conservative.  You don't HAVE to wear one but mutawa (and regular guys who freakin' *think* they are mutawa) try to flex their muscle by  telling you to cover your head.

Allie
Any one can be a Mutawa, Mutawa means "religious" and not the religious police.
It is being far right wing person who is extremely religious, as long as a Mutawa isn't accompanied by an actual cop he's not part of the religious police. Just wanted to clear that out

Thanks, appreciate that--for most expats, 'mutawa,' 'mutaween' means the religious police.  In fact, if you google 'religious police Saudi Arabia,' you get the word 'mutawa' over and over again.

the Literal meaning of "mutawa" is "volunteer". in today's society it is associated with the religious police, but don't ask me why.

If anyone stops you and tells you to do some thing.

1- Ask them for an ID showing that they have authority in this matter.
2- if not ask for their ID to report to the police (mostly a bluff, but you have the right to do so)
3- If they are apologize do what they say to avoid hassle, but if they are rude or impolite report them.

Local Brownie wrote:

Alliecat wrote:

Local Brownie wrote:

Allie
Any one can be a Mutawa, Mutawa means "religious" and not the religious police.
It is being far right wing person who is extremely religious, as long as a Mutawa isn't accompanied by an actual cop he's not part of the religious police. Just wanted to clear that out

Thanks, appreciate that--for most expats, 'mutawa,' 'mutaween' means the religious police.  In fact, if you google 'religious police Saudi Arabia,' you get the word 'mutawa' over and over again.

My pleasure Allie, you're right -as MOST of the time- expats confuse the two, my advice is to just completely and utterly ignore them, with or without a cop, just deny them any recognition of their existence and they will leave you alone eventually

that is actually a bad advice, because you don't want to escalate a situation. The best thing to do is comply with authorities, report vigilantes, and if the authorities are being abusive report them as well.

ahelpfulsaudi wrote:

1- Ask them for an ID showing that they have authority in this matter.
2- if not ask for their ID to report to the police (mostly a bluff, but you have the right to do so)
3- If they are apologize do what they say to avoid hassle, but if they are rude or impolite report them.

You are forgetting ONE very important thing:  Many (most?) of us do NOT speak Arabic.  If we knew the language, we could stick up for ourselves but since we don't, we can't do any of this!! 

Simplest thing is to momentarily comply and then take it off. I've only been approached a few times and they NEVER had a policeman with them.  So it's some local yokel charging around the mall, talking to strange women, sometimes being loud and rude .. for what reason?  To make us cover our heads .. for 10 seconds?  Seems like they're doing it not out of religious conviction but, rather, a power trip, and I certainly can't respect them.