Saudi woman in viral miniskirt video released without charges
Saudi authorities sprang into action after the video went viral on social media.
(Web Desk) – The Saudi woman whose video wearing a mini skirt in Saudi Arabia’s Najd province went viral on social media, has been released without any punishment, according to the statement by their Ministry of Culture and Information.
In the video that had stirred a heated debate the woman was seen walking alone clad in a miniskirt. Following the hue and cry on the social media on July 18 police brought the woman in for questioning, and released her after a few hours without any charges
According to the police statement, “she admitted to visiting the site in question with a male guardian, and that the viral videos were published by an account attributed to her without her knowledge.”
— (@50BM_) July 16, 2017
The video caused a stir in social media which prompted a hashtag in Arabic, which means, “the trial of Khulood the model is a must.” Officials were called on the provincial governor and police to take action against the woman and the person making the video.
Some twitter users spoke in defense of the woman, a Saudi activist, Fatima al-Issa wrote, “if she were Western, they would have praised her waist and her enchanting eyes, but because she’s Saudi they call for her to be tried.”
The kingdom’s religious police on twitter said that they were monitoring the video and taking “the necessary steps” to address the video depicting the “girl in offensive clothing.”
The strict laws on public attire in Saudi Arabia, which is monitored by the religious police also known as Haia, can no longer detain people if they are identified as breaking the law. According to the Saudi Press Agency, “religious police now must report ‘misbehaviors’ to the police and drug police, then those police forces can act on their suspicions.”
However, their powers were considerable curtailed under directives announced in 2016. Which makes it harder for the police to detain people if they are identified as breaking the kingdom’s strict standards of moral conduct?
According to CNN, “Khulood the model” has been Saudi social media’s moniker for the woman who appeared in the video. However, police have not released her identity.
In the wake of this incident hashtag, “niqab does not represent me”started trending on the social media.
We wear it because we want to ,plus there is a lot of girls who doesn t wear Niqab so its our choice ,stop the drama ppl
— G (@Ghada1DD) July 20, 2017
It s your choice lady.. if you wanna wear it or not, it shouldn t be anybody s business.. Do you babe boo pic.twitter.com/LdFLJKdO5y
— Hessa(@h96am__) July 20, 2017
