‘Abbaya’ mandatory for women pilgrims

LAHORE, Oct 27: Faroghe Aftab Zaidi, the Haj training coordinator at the ministry of religious affairs, has said wearing of an ‘abbaya’ over clothes has been made mandatory for all intending woman pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia for Haj.

Speaking at a Haj training workshop here on Monday, Zaidi said the decision to make wearing of an ‘abbaya’ over clothes compulsory had been taken after repeated letters written by Saudi authorities, stating the dress worn by intending woman pilgrims was ‘improperÂ’.

He said every woman proceeding for Haj would be provided a black ‘abbaya’ and a scarf printed with Pakistani flag by the PIA or the Haj group organiser before departure for Saudi Arabia. They would be required to wear the ‘abbaya’ and scarf while going out of their places of stay in Saudi Arabia.
Source: Dawn
Date:10/28/2008