Saudi Gazette

RIYADH – There is a rule in the Kingdom that Saudi men should wear their traditional national dress code “thobe” while approaching government offices to get things done. But a large number of Saudis are not at all concerned about this regulation. They approach offices with whatever attire they wanted to wear. Sometimes, they show up wearing unconventional clothes such as sportswear or shorts and t-shirts or night garbs or any other foreign clothes as if they were in a foreign country, according to a report in Al-Riyadh Arabic daily.



Several years ago, the government took a decision to enforce wearing the traditional Saudi thobe while approaching government offices. The regulation was issued with the noble objective of maintaining the nation’s identity as well as to inculcate patriotic feelings so as to reflect them in citizens’ personal and professional lives.



The traditional Saudi dress code is represented by the thobe and headgear. Wearing this during formal occasions or while meeting government officials amounts to respecting the nation and its rich tradition. There is no justification for not wearing the traditional thobe on such occasions.



Even though the decision was taken several years ago, some government departments are not keen in implementing it effectively by entertaining only clients who wear the traditional dress. Security guards at the gates of government offices are not preventing citizens who dress otherwise while approaching these offices to get things done. There is no justification on the part of these offices for not compelling citizens to wear the traditional thobe while entering their premises. It is easier for them to implement the decision as almost all offices have security guards at their gates. Some of these offices have also set up surveillance cameras.



Experiment of the Civil Status Department



The Civil Status Department is one of the government departments that effectively implemented the government decision with regard to wearing the traditional dress code. It gave strict instructions to security guards not to allow any citizens who are not wearing a thobe to enter the office premises. This forced the citizens to obey the rules. This means that the role of government agencies and departments is significant in making people adhere to rules, as well as to respect the law and the public decorum. The Civil Status Department has set a good example for all government departments in this respect.



The Riyadh office is one of the branches of the Civil Status Department that effectively implemented the directive. This has forced many citizens who failed to wear the traditional dress to approach document writers in the nearby stalls and lease headgear at rates of SR5 and SR10. This has become a thriving business for some of these writers. However, this is a disgraceful act as far as the Saudi tradition and culture is concerned. The Civil Status Department won accolades for its utmost keenness not only in issuing IDs for citizens but also for preserving a great Saudi tradition through strictly implementing the government decision.



Awareness campaign



The decision to enforce wearing a thobe while visiting government offices should have been succeeded by a Kingdomwide awareness campaign about the pros and cons of implementing it.  



Perhaps, all Saudis know about such a decision. But they don’t know when it will come into force. Such inaction on the part of the concerned authorities while implementing any government decision may create a general tendency among the people to ignore such decisions. This would not happen if there was determination to enforce the rules. For this, any such decisions should be accompanied by an awareness campaign about them as we did in the case of the Saher traffic system. The massive awareness campaign helped people know in advance what the penal actions against violators of traffic regulations would be, especially for speeding and cutting traffic signals, before enforcing the system.



Role of parents



Members of the new generation who are more or less influenced by foreign cultures and traditions see nothing unusual in wearing unconventional clothes and appearing in public places and offices. Therefore, it is essential for parents to educate their children on the pros and cons of wearing the traditional thobe. They should tell them that they can wear sportswear, shorts and t-shirts and such other attire while going out for picnicking or recreation. However, they should take care of wearing only their traditional dress code while attending any formal occasions or approaching government offices. Raising children in accordance with the Kingdom’s traditions and culture should begin at home, and the parents have a decisive role in this through advising them gently and wisely. It is ideal to conduct dialogue and free deliberations among members of the family on how to behave decently, whether they are at home or outside.



Schools should also play a bigger role in making students aware of the importance of wearing the national clothes. There are some schools that are not at all concerned about students’ attire. In such schools, students can attend wearing any types of clothes even on national occasions.



National festivals



It is also important to create proper awareness about celebrating the National Day and other occasions. The citizens should realize that wearing the traditional thobe is an indispensable part of celebrating such occasions both at public places and private venues. Such awareness would, no doubt, influence the young generation greatly and in consequence they will be enthusiastic to attend such functions only after wearing the traditional national dress code.  



Some officials are of the view that enforcing the decision to wear the traditional thobe in all government departments is a tough task. The response for them is that there could be problems for implementing any decision in the beginning, as some sections of society may not be receptive to such reforms. But in due course, they will adjust to it if there is determination on the part of the authorities to enforce the decision strictly.