Has the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Abandoned the Islamic Hijab/Niqab?
For decades, Saudi Arabia was known as one of the few countries where the Islamic hijab and niqab were strictly observed in public life. The Kingdom stood as a symbol of conservative Islamic values, where modesty was not only encouraged but enforced through legal and societal norms.
Women were once required to cover fully in public. The black abaya and niqab were deeply embedded in Saudi culture, seen everywhere in streets, schools, and markets.
However, recent years have brought about major social reforms. Under the umbrella of "modernization" and the so-called Vision 2030, the Saudi government has relaxed many of its religious policies. These changes include the softening—or complete removal—of dress code enforcement for women.
Today, it is not uncommon to walk through malls, cafes, or public events in Riyadh or Jeddah and see women wearing colorful abayas, uncovered hair, and even Western clothing. The presence of the once-prominent mutawa’ (religious police) has faded. Their authority has been dismantled, and their role in upholding Islamic dress codes has all but disappeared.
Official statements now refer to the abaya as optional, with the focus instead on “modesty” without clear religious guidelines. Foreign female tourists are no longer required to wear any specific Islamic covering. Public events, entertainment venues, and social media trends now reflect a new cultural direction—one where Islamic modesty is no longer central.
So the question stands: Has the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia abandoned the Islamic hijab and niqab?
The reality is unfolding every day in the streets of the Kingdom. The answer may not be written in official decrees, but it is clearly visible in public life.
Share your thoughts in the comments below. Has this change affected your perception of the Kingdom?