Saudi rewarded for refusing to sell veil

A Saudi Aramco official gave a local woman SR25,000 (Dd24,5000) for refusing to sell her 'burqu' (face veil) to a European woman during an exhibition in Germany.

The woman, identified as Umm Noura, was reported to have refused an offer by a European lady to pay her 1,000 euros (Dh5,000) in return for her traditional 'burqu', saying the veil reflected her “identity and country’s culture,” Okaz daily said.

Badr Al Qadran, production director in the state oil operator Saudi Aramco, was at a cultural festival organized by Aramco in south Saudi Arabia when he was introduced to Umm Noura, who was among local women at the traditional food stand at the festival.

“Qadran asked Umm Noura why she refused to sell her burqu to the European woman. Umm Noura told him that it represented her identity and the Saudi culture and that she was worried the burqu could be offended by that lady,” the paper said.

“Qadran admired Umm Noura’s behavior and gave her 5,000 euros as a gift for refusing the European woman's offer despite her poor financial status.”