Saudi mandates formal guidelines for Traditional Men's Wear

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia issued comprehensive guidelines outlining the formal use of the traditional men's cloak, bisht, for specific categories of individuals and officials at formal events and workplaces. The directive, disclosed in a circular obtained by Okaz/Saudi Gazette, mandates the wearing of the bisht for several prominent positions.

According to the circular, individuals falling under the specified categories are obligated to wear the bisht when entering and exiting their workplaces, as well as during official functions. The designated officials include emirs and deputy emirs of provinces, governors, ministers (including those with excellent rank), assistant and deputy ministers, officials holding the 15th rank or its equivalent, heads of independent departments and their deputies. Additionally, heads and deputy heads of town centres are also required to adhere to the bisht-wearing directive.

Members of the Shura Council are instructed to wear bishts during council sessions, while judges and prosecutors from the Public Prosecution, employees of the Prosecution Unit at the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) and lawyers are to wear them during court sessions and hearings.

For women belonging to the mentioned categories, adherence to the official women's dress code is mandatory. The Ministry of Media, in collaboration with Nazaha, will oversee the enforcement of these guidelines and address any violations or non-compliance related to the bisht-wearing rules.

The circular emphasizes that these stipulations do not override any existing orders or directives concerning the obligation of bisht wearing by other groups or the internal policies of any entity. The guidelines do not apply to professions and specializations necessitating specific attire other than the official uniform.

The Saudi authorities have issued this circular to clarify and standardize the wearing of the traditional men's cloak bisht by designated categories of people and officials during formal occasions and at workplaces. The move is seen as a measure to uphold traditional attire and protocol in official settings, ensuring a sense of cultural identity and formality.

Source: Saudi Gazette