A Saudi woman detained for wearing immodest clothing in a viral video has been released without punishment.
According to a statement fromSaudi Arabias Ministry of Culture and Information, she told investigators the Snapchat clip was published without her knowledge. The video shows the woman walking through the historic town of Ushayqir in a skirt and crop top.
Police normally hunt for criminals, but Saudi police are hunting for a woman for appearing in a miniskirt at a fort: pic.twitter.com/N50dZGJEQN
Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) July 18, 2017
Sparking heated debate on social media, some users jumped to her defense while many called for her arrest, saying the woman blatantly violated the kingdoms conservative dress code. Under Saudi Arabias strict interpretation of Islamic law, women are expected to wear loose-fitting clothing and required to cover their hair. Atrending hashtag which translates to DemandTheTrialofKhulood even called for her arrest.
Ushayqir, in Saudi Arabias Najd province, is the birthplace of Wahhabism, an ultra-conservative school of Islamic thought. The social media outcry from Saudi citizens has highlighted the countrys widespread conservative views despite recent efforts to modernize some rules. Last week, the government announced that girls would be allowed to play sports in public school and have access to classes in physical education.
Saudi officials investigating random woman wearing a miniskirt in the streets while Saudi leader's wife dresses in a similar fashion??? pic.twitter.com/dJznV8aBBF
Ameera (@aljabari_) July 18, 2017
(brl/red)
