Saudi Crown Prince says black abayas not obligatory ‘decent attire’ for women

In his first televised interview with a US media outlet, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed women’s rights and the black gown, or “abaya,” traditionally worn by Saudi women.

The young royal told CBS This Morning’s Norah O’Donnell that women should be free to choose their interpretation of decent attire, and that this should not be limited to the black abaya.

“The laws are very clear. It’s stipulated in the laws of Sharia that women wear decent respectful clothing like men. This, however, does not particularly specify a black abaya or a black head cover. The decision is entirely left for women to decide what type of decent and respectful attire she chooses to wear.”

O’Donnell had asked the crown prince to elaborate on earlier remarks he had made on taking Saudi Arabia back to a time of ‘moderate Islam’.

He added: “We have extremists who forbid mixing between the two sexes and are unable to differentiate between a man and a woman alone together, and their being together in a workplace. Many of those ideas contradict the way of life during the time of the Prophet and the Caliphs. This is the real example and the true model [of Islam].”