Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military, in a policy reversal, will no longer require service women in Saudi Arabia to wear Muslim-style head-to-toe robes when venturing off base.
Instead, wearing the robe, known as an abaya, "is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged," according to an order by Gen. Tommy Franks, head of the U.S. Central Command, e-mailed to commanders in the region.
The Air Force’s highest-ranking female fighter pilot is challenging the rule in court. Lt. Col. Martha McSally’s lawsuit calls the policy unconstitutional and says it improperly forces American women to conform to others’ religious and social customs.
McSally’s lawsuit did not inspire the policy change, Central Command spokesman Col. Rick Thomas said Tuesday.
McSally’s lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., also challenges policies requiring servicewomen to be accompanied by a man whenever they leave their base and to ride in the back seat of a car. Women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia.
Thomas said those policies remain in effect.
Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.