Management at the World Technology Institute for Women reportedly reversed its decision to temporarily allow its female students to wear pants on condition that the girls donate two Saudi Riyals ($0.50) to a charity that helps young girls in need.
According to local reports, 300 students donated a total of some 600 Riyals through the institute.
Saudi Arabia’s educational and governmental institutions forbid female students and employees to wear pants.
Management at the institute reversed their decision, however, seemingly due to outside pressure from religious figures in the kingdom.
A notification sent to students stated that the decision was being cancelled and that students would have to return to uniform attire. The management stressed that the attire must include a long and wide skirt with a non-see-through shirt and long sleeves. The students were also invited to contact student services within 20 days to ask for their donations back.
The original decision and its reversal sparked debate on social media, with one Twitter user, Abou Ahmad, writing, “Why is there a price here for values, and a very cheap price of two Riyals. And I innocently thought that values couldn’t be bought and sold!!!”
ليش عندنا المبادئ لها ثمن، وثمن رخيص "ريالين"
كنت اضن ان المبادئ لا تباع ولا تشترى!!!— ابوأحمد (@aboahmad_k_s_a) May 26, 2017
Faesal wrote on Twitter, “Improper conduct by the institute’s management. The institute’s management should be punished. It’s required to dress conservatively and modestly and there’s no option to sell that for any amount or donation.”
تصرف غير لااق من الكليه والمفروض محاسبة ادارة الكليه فالوجب ارتدا البس المحافظ دون اي مساومه على خلعه نضير مبالغ ماليه او تبرع
— الفيصل (@faesal00) May 26, 2017
Amani responded to Faesal, asking, “And why is dressing in pants considered immodest or un-conservative?!!!”
وهل إرتداء البنطال لبس غير محافظ ؟!!! @faesal00 @Akhbaar24
— أمـاني غنـيم MBS 🇸 💚 (@A7laAlamani) May 26, 2017
Another social media user wrote, “If there are no men, and all those around are girls, why is it forbidden (to wear pants)?”
اذا لايوجد رجال والجميع بنات وين الحرام بالموضوع
— yaz (@yaz_1234_) May 26, 2017
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