Women's Abaya rule: Saudi to fine airlines

Saudi Arabia has warned all airlines that they could be fined SR5,000 ($1,333) if they bring in women not wearing abaya (gown) during the upcoming pilgrimage season, a newspaper in the Gulf kingdom reported on Monday.

The Pakistani ministry of religious affairs has told the country’s official carrier that it must ensure all Pakistani women travelling to Saudi Arabia for Haj (pilgrimage) in early November must wear abaya.

“The ministry said that carriers which do not adhere to this rule will be fined  SR5,000 and have their flights suspended during Haj,” 'Sabq' daily said.

More than two million Muslim men and women are expected to flock to Saudi Arabia for this year’s pilgrimage in Makkah, Islam’s holiest shrine.