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Saudi women boycott lingerie shops and want salesmen out
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by Rory Cripps | February 17, 2010 at 05:47 pm
831 views | 54 Recommendations | 18 comments
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In Saudi Arabia, most lingerie shops are staffed by men, but now a group of Saudi Arabian women, led by economics professor Reem Asaad, has called for a two week boycott of Saudi lingerie shops and for salesmen to be replaced by saleswomen.
Interaction between unrelated men and women in Saudi Arabia is virtually prohibited by the muttawa or The Committee to Promote Virtue and Prevent Vice, the equivalent of a religious morality police. However the muttawa has not applied the same zealous morality enforcement standards to women interacting with male salesmen in lingerie shops as it does in other interactions between unrelated men and women.
This isn't the first time Asaad has challenged Saudi Arabia's male-dominated lingerie industry. For the last two years, she has shined light on the issue by steadily calling on the Saudi authorities to allow female staff to work at stores that cater to men and women clients.
The muttawa will consent to allowing women to work as store clerks but only if they work in shops that are located in women-only malls. The Saudi Labor Ministry has also indicated that it would require women to work in lingerie shops however that hasn't occurred.
Campaigners in Saudi Arabia have urged women there to begin a two-week boycott of lingerie shops with male staff.
They say it is a contradiction that in such a conservative, Islamic country, women have to give their underwear sizes to men they do not know.
Islamic scholars have given their backing to the campaign.
"I am calling for salesmen to be replaced with saleswomen", Ms Asaad was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.
"I just hope that many respond and boycott," she said.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (18)
at 06:13 on February 18th, 2010
I suppose, given the outfits they are forced to wear, that's the only way men would ever know the women's drawer sizes.
at 06:38 on February 18th, 2010
I think the word "some" needs to be inserted when we talk about muslim women and their attire, many of them are perfectly happy with what they wear. I found this piece interesting from"Why Do Muslim Women Wear The Hijab"
All of the young women interviewed agreed that the advantages of wearing the hijab are many. According to Rema Zawi, 16, "You feel modest...and you feel like you're covered up. You have more self-respect. You have more confidence in yourself that you don't need to care about (how) you look."
Syed emphasizes that a major plus is that people actually evaluate her on who she is and not on her beauty or clothing. "It keeps me protected from the fashion industry. The hijab liberates you from the media, brainwashing you into, Buy this, buy that, you're supposed to look like this," she says. "It allows me to be who I am. I don't have to worry about being popular through buying things that are 'cool'."
The entire thing can be found on islamfortoday
at 06:46 on February 18th, 2010
Steve: Thanks for the info. What I found interesting about the above story is that the Saudi women engaged in the boycott are going right along with the Saudi government's views on separation of the genders . . .
at 06:50 on February 18th, 2010
Exactly Rory, and they seem to be content with it, we just need to stop trying to impose our views and beliefs on them and assuming it's all against their will.
Apart from anything else, that attitude in the piece must save a teenage girl's parents a small fortune.
at 06:56 on February 18th, 2010
Steve:
"Apart from anything else, that attitude in the piece must save a teenage girl's parents a small fortune."
You know . . .I never thought about that! I think that you're on to something there! You're a very wise man Steve . . . hmmm ..............
at 08:56 on February 18th, 2010
Well they would, it is their religion ! Some people may have missed the main point; men buy most of the underwear sold, and not only for their wives ! The scholars support a change because adultery is a sin.
at 06:41 on February 18th, 2010
Hugh: Do you think they'd hire me? I think I'd make a pretty good looking woman if I dropped a few pounds and underwent Botox treatments . . . . what are your thoughts on the matter ?
at 06:46 on February 18th, 2010
Stay away from pink dresses though Rory, or you get a name change :)
at 06:52 on February 18th, 2010
Steve: Nah! I don't look pretty in pink! lol!
at 08:51 on February 18th, 2010
I've told you before, go with the mauve. It is you.
at 09:02 on February 18th, 2010
Hugh: And I've told you before you silly boy that I prefer the Fuschia! Sound's Italian . . .doesn't it?
at 09:25 on February 18th, 2010
Well, it is your choice.
The fuscia sceams "cheap", imo, but perhaps is the look you are going for?
at 10:03 on February 18th, 2010
Hugh: Check out the video of Rola Saad!
I have no doubt that there are millions of Rola Saads in the Arab world just waiting to throw off their wraps and expose themselves.
If those dumb terrorists had any brains, they'd seek out thousands of Rola Sadds and send them off to the battlefields of Afghanistan. And knowing America boys as I do, I have no doubt that they'd throw down their weapons, surrender, and cry, "take me I'm yours!"
at 10:51 on February 18th, 2010
Yeah, but put her in one of them burkas, she's just another M1 Abrams, with legs.
at 12:07 on February 18th, 2010
It's not that they don't want to wear it, they want to be served by a woman is all they're asking for.
at 11:18 on February 18th, 2010
Saudi social rules are complicated.
at 11:42 on February 18th, 2010
158: YES! Very complicated indeed and beyond my comprehension I must admit! I'd go out of my freakin' mind if American women covered themselves up. I wouldn't even want to get out of bed in the morning! LOL!
at 14:24 on February 18th, 2010
Nor in bed at night, likely......you filthy pig.