JEDDAH: Saudi fashion models say that they are struggling to be accepted by society because their profession is viewed as immoral.

In addition, they claim that they have been prevented from having their pictures taken in public places by members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia).

Mohammad Fohami, known by his nickname Mohammad Katchup, said he has worked for a long time as a successful fashion model. He does have a master’s degree but found the fashion world more exciting because of the clothes, and shows he has done.

“Despite the fact that some members of our society like to be fashionable, people still don’t accept us and refuse to understand what we do. I have to often explain myself to people,” he said.

Fohami said that men can work in the profession without losing their masculinity, in the same that women can. He said it is a respectable occupation abroad and that the Haia should stop chasing them away in public places. “Our work needs to be recognized and a system of rules and regulations has to be introduced.”