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Saudi Arabia’s Controversial First-Ever Swimwear Fashion Walk Angers Muslims

For the first time in history, Saudi Arabia has allowed the first-ever swimwear fashion walk has irked many Muslims, many of whom believe that such events are inappropriate and go against the teachings of Islam, especially being the home to two holy cities, Mecca and Madinah.

The event, which marks a significant cultural shift, took place at the St. Regis Red Sea Resort during the Red Sea Fashion Week.

The fashion show featured clothes designed by Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal, who created one-piece swimsuits, many models were seen with exposing shoulders and partially visible midriffs, this is to be noted that Saudi Arabia once didn’t allow women to go outside of their houses without Abaya.

However, the designer called it “Her Honor” but many Muslims are finding it difficult to see such things happening.

However, for many Muslims, this development is very alarming. Saudi Arabia is home to Mecca and Medina and has a special place in the hearts of millions of Muslims around the world who visit annually for Hajj and Umrah. The display of swimwear is seen by many as a violation of Islamic teachings on modesty and decorum.

Critics argue that the reforms, Vision 2030 initiative are steering the country away from its Islamic values.

Syrian fashion influencer present at the show, Shouq Mohammed said that the broader context of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to open up to the world and expand its fashion and tourism sectors.

The show took place at the Red Sea Resort, part of Red Sea Global, a mega-project central to Vision 2030 aimed at diversifying the economy and boosting tourism. According to the Saudi Fashion Commission, the fashion industry contributed $12.5 billion to the national GDP in 2022, accounting for 1.4 percent, and employed 230,000 people.

For many devout Muslims, however, these economic gains do not justify actions they perceive as compromising the country’s Islamic principles.

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This post was last modified on May 18, 2024 8:17 pm

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Warda Shahid

Warda has a degree in Journalism from Carleton University. She now covers various topics on The Islamic Information as a lead journalist.

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  • The new swim stroll of Saudi young ladies at a Red Sea resort has ignited critical debate and outrage among the Muslim people group, featuring a strain between modernisation endeavours and the safeguarding of Islamic practices in the holy land.
    Saudi Arabia, as the origin of Islam and home to its two holiest cities, Makkah and Madinah, has forever been under serious examination regarding its adherence to Islamic standards. The public swim, in this way, is seen as an attack by the custodians of Islamic tradition and customs against the holiness of Islamic lessons. Conventional Islamic qualities put areas of strength for humility, especially for ladies, and public swimming in present-day swimwear distinctly diverges from these qualities. For quite a long time, Saudi Arabia has kept up with severe orientation isolation and implemented moderate clothing regulations for ladies, established in its understanding of Sharia regulation. Seeing ladies swimming publicly is considered by many people to be an infringement of these long-held strict and social standards. In addition, this episode can be seen as a component of Crown Sovereign Mohammed Bin Salman's more extensive Vision 2030 drive, which expects to enhance the economy and lessen the reliance on oil by advancing the travel industry and diversion. While these endeavours are expected to modernise the nation and draw in worldwide speculation, they likewise risk distancing a critical piece of the populace, considering such changes contrary to Islamic qualities.
    The effect on the Islamic sacredness of Saudi Arabia can't be put into words. For the overwhelming majority of dedicated Muslims, the realm isn't simply one more country; it is an image of Islamic devotion and a watchman of strict practice. Activities that are viewed as subverting these customs take steps to dissolve the profound power and moral authority that Saudi Arabia holds in the Muslim world. This could prompt a deficiency of regard and validity among other Muslim-greater part of nations and networks.
    Moreover, the occasion can develop cultural partitions inside Saudi Arabia. The swim stroll of young Saudi ladies at a resort has lighted a hostile discussion about the harmony between modernisation and strict custom in the realm. It highlights the difficulties Saudi Arabia faces as it endeavours to modernise while keeping up with its Islamic character.

  • This not acceptable I hope Allah guides our Ummah in the right away and keeps strong in our faith Inshallah

  • I would like to throw light on subject of Economics and Religion. Fashion industry contributed $12.5 Billion to the national GDP of Saudi Arabia in 2022, accounting to 1.4% and employing about 2,30,000 man power is a good gain and sign economically. But this economic sign do not justify Islamic principles or culture of the country religiously. Nor does this fashion walk by women justify freedom to them. It is only a vulgar show in the terms of Islamic religion although it is done outside of Mecca and Madinah.

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