Qatar launches modest dress code campaign

Samreen Hayat

If you're planning on visiting Qatar this summer, remember to dress modestly and respect the Gulf nation's culture. That's the message a new grassroots campaign called 'Reflect your Respect' is trying to drive home.

A group of concerned Qatari citizens have kicked off a campaign in the oil-rich nation using social networks Instagram and Twitter, aiming to educate tourists and expats on how to dress modestly and appropriately in public places.

From June 20, just before the start of Ramadan, pamphlets will be distributed in malls, airports and other public places.

"Help us to preserve Qatar's culture and values," say the pamphlets. "Please dress modestly in public places."

Instagram/Reflect_Your_Respect
Instagram/Reflect_Your_Respect

 

GUIDELINES:

Organisers say the aim of the campaign is to preserve Qatar's traditions and culture, as one group spokeswoman explained to Doha News.

"We want to preserve our traditions and our values. They (expats) have their own places where they don’t have to be covered – but we have the right to go to hospitals, to the market, to the malls, to the beach, without seeing these things.”

So what exactly isn't allowed? According to the leaflets, visitors and expats should be aware of the following:

  • Visitors should be covered from shoulders to knees

  • For women, no short dresses, sleeveless clothing or midriff-baring crop tops

  • For men - no shorts or vest tops

  • Some leaflets even come with this important reminder: "Leggings are not pants, ladies!"

MIXED REACTION

The campaign has received mixed reactions online, with some agreeing with the message and others saying countries should not dictate how people should dress.

WORLD CUP CONCERNS?

However, some have already raised questions about how the dress code would be applied in the Qatar 2022 World Cup - despite being eight years away from the event.

The group was forced to issue a clarification that it was in no way associated with the World Cup.

This is not the first time Qatar has launched a dress code drive; the 'Reflect your Respect' team was behind the 2012 'One of Us' campaign as well.

A spokeswoman told Doha News the name was changed to make the campaign more inclusive as "many expats had responded to the previous slogan by arguing that they did not feel like they are part of Qatari society."

Neighbouring UAE also launched a similar campaign called @UAEDressCode back in 2012 and Kuwait is considering making modest dress part of the law.

What do you think? Do you support the campaign or should people be allowed to dress how they please? Tell us in the comments