RIYADH, 2 October 2004 — Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Dakhil, director general of health affairs in the Riyadh region, has warned that female Health Ministry staff violating the newly announced dress code would be dismissed from service.
The directorate of health affairs in the region has distributed a circular instructing female staff working in government hospitals and health centers to abide by the dress code which is based on Shariah.
The ministry introduced the dress code after it was noticed that some female staff were showing up for work wearing dresses that defied Islamic teachings as well as the Kingdom’s culture and traditions.
“The ministry has distributed a circular in this respect among all health institutions in different regions,” Al-Dakhil told Al- Eqtisadiah, a sister publication of Arab News.
He said those violating the dress code would be given a warning first. If the offense is repeated their services would be terminated.
“We have already started implementing the law,” he added.
According to the new dress code, nurses are not permitted to wear jewelry, high-heels and make-up.
“There’s nothing really wrong with nurses wearing jewelry or make-up in moderation,” said Dr. Ahmad, a gynecologist in a public hospital in Riyadh. “But a nurse in high-heels? That’s out of the question. A real nurse would understand that instinctively. Or she should.”
The Interior Ministry has also instructed the nurses and female doctors to wear clothes that are modest, appropriate for their job and in accordance with Shariah. This included covering the head and hair in non-transparent and unembroidered cloth as well as avoiding tight or transparent garments with indecent pictures or words counter to the teachings of Islam.
