Saudi Arabia backtracks on strict dress code at Jeddah F1 Grand Prix
Saudi Arabia backtracks on strict dress code at Jeddah F1 Grand Prix
Saudi Arabia wants to give visitors at the F1 Grand Prix in Jeddah a warm welcome rather than restricting what they can and cannot wear, according to the Saudi Ministry of Sport.
2 min read
The CEO of F1 has expressed excitement over Saudi Arabia's Grand Prix debut, despite concerns over human rights abuses. [Getty]
Saudi Arabia reversed its decision to impose a strict dress code at its first-ever in December.
The strict dress code, which sparked controversy among fans when announced last week, prohibited tight and transparent clothing, bare arms and knees, ripped jeans, shorts, dresses and excessive make-up.
The Saudi Ministry of Sport said their priority was to ensure visitors at new race track received a warm welcome, rather than restrictions on what they can and cannot wear.
“The Ministry of Sports has stressed there will be no dress code at the circuit not at any public places in Jeddah. This applies to everyone, regardless of gender,” said new advice sent out from the race organisers.
However, there was also a cautious warning to respect “the cultural sensitive of Saudi Arabia”.
The gulf kingdom has a conservative and traditional culture in which ideas about modesty and morality govern daily life, including how men and women dress. Women usually wear an abaya, a long black cloak, while men wear a traditional thobe, which covers the body, arms and legs.
will host its first Grand Prix from December 3 to 5 at anewly constructed track, labelled as the fastest street circuit in the racing calendar.
The country sees the race and surrounding events, including a pop concertfrom Justin Bieber, as part of itsvision for a new future for the Kingdom.
Chairman and CEO of Formula One Chase Carey has expressed excitement over Saudi Arabia’s debut.
“Saudi Arabia is a country that is rapidly becoming a hub for sports and entertainment with many major events taking place there in recent years and we are very pleased that Formula 1 will be racing there ,” said Carey.
However, human rights group voiced concerns over the “sportswashing” of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record with theGrand Prix.
“Formula 1 should realise that a Saudi Grand Prix in 2021 would be part of ongoing efforts to sportswash the country’s abysmal human rights record,” said Felix Jakens,UK’s head of campaigns.
Saudi Arabia is accused of repeated human rights offencesincluding arbitary arrests and extrajudicial killings, such as the brutal murder of . The country has also been involved in , a conflict which hasspawned one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Ahead of December's race, a Formula 1 spokesperson said “we take our responsibilities very seriously and have made our position on human rights and other issues clear to everyone."
