USA Today: Saudi Arabia to allow women in bikinis at new beach resort
The ultra-conservative kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced the construction of a luxury resort on the Red Sea where women will be allowed to wear bikinis instead of having to fully cover their bodies.
Experts believe the ambitious move initiated by the new heir to the Saudi throne, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is another attempt to modernize the oil-dependent economy.
Women face extreme restrictions under Saudi laws, including not being able to drive or travel without the permission of a male relative. Women are also expected to cover their bodies in public, making bikinis traditionally unacceptable.
But the government said that the resort will be “governed by laws on par with international standards.” The resort will cover 50 islands and is expected to attract tourists from across the globe amid relaxed visa restrictions.
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WNU editor: I have to see it to believe it .... but the Middle East is changing, and I have trouble seeing how Saudi Arabia can keep itself closed-off from these cultural changes in the years to come.
3 comments:
And lo Islam accepted bikinis and all was good.
We can hope.
1 step forward two step back
3 steps forward 1 step back
... who knows
But it looks like progress.
At any rate not all of the Saudi family is as regressive as thought.
They gave so me control to the religious police so as to curry favor after the embarrassment of the siege in Mecca. Then the religious police starting wagging the dog.
The powers that be in Mecca more than likely view this as a PR sop to get the West off their backs. What they count on is being to isolate it and control it. Governments have had a poor track record in doing this and they will get a surprise.
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