Riyadh(Saudi Arabia): The first lady Michelle Obama who happened to be a few hours in Saudi Arabia, didn’t forget to illustrate the severe limitations under which Saudi women live.
Michelle and President Barack Obama were in Saudi Arabia for a condolence visit in association with the death of the King Abdullah.
While arriving in Saudi Arabia, Mrs. Obama’s dress was long pants and a long, brightly colored jacket without a headscarf.
As per Saudi kingdom’s strict dress code for women, females in the country are required to wear a headscarf and loose, black robes in public.
Most women in Saudi Arabia have to cover their hair and face with a veil known as the niqab. But for foreigners, it is not mandatory to cover their heads.
But, some Western women prefer to follow the custom of wearing a headscarf while in Saudi Arabia.
A delegation of dozens of Saudi officials comprising of men were greeted the President and the First Lady in Riyadh.
Some of them were shaken hands with Mrs. Obama while others avoided a handshake and acknowledged the first lady with a nod as they passed by.
Saudi Arabia has imposed so many restrictions on women on the strict representation of Islamic Shariah (shah-REE’-yuh) law known as Wahhabism.
Citizens are strictly isolated with respect to gender.
Women are being banned from driving vehicles, although there have been campaigns in recent years to lift that ban.
As per the Guardianship laws in the country, women need permission from a male relative to travel, get married, enroll in higher education or undergo certain surgical procedures.
Video on Mrs.Obama’s expression about the limitations on Saudi women
