The Saudi Arabian authorities decided to abolish the obligation for women to cover their hair and neck in their personal photograph on the national identity card, and this decision was published in the official newspaper Umm Al-Qura, where new amendments to Article 17 of the executive regulations were revealed. Saudi Arabia’s civil status system by removing the phrase that the head must be covered AND the neck for a personal photo of a woman on the national identity card, according to what was published by the Saudi newspaper Okaz.

And “Article 17” before the amendments provided that “the personal photograph required by the procedure must be modern, in color, on a white background, in the opposite position, without glasses, clear and showing all facial features, and in civilian clothes.” for the Kingdom, and the size is 4 x 6, and it may not be professional clothes or any clothes for a certain group of citizens, but the personal image of a woman should be without any decorations and cover the hair of the head and neck.

According to the amendment published by the Umm al-Qura newspaper, Article 17 included two paragraphs, paragraph A provided that “the personal photograph and the photograph taken in automated systems necessary for the issuance of a national identity card, be modern, color, clear and show all facial features and with a white background in an appropriate pose. And without glasses and non-medical lenses, without any jewelry, and cannot be in professional attire or any particular category.

Whereas “Clause B” provides that “The Civil Status Agency of the Ministry establishes control over personal photographs and photographs taken in automated systems for certain age groups and people with special needs, as well as in other cases not mentioned in this article.”

And through the amendment, it is clear that “the control of the personal image in the national identity card has revealed the repeal of the last phrase of Article 17, which provides, until it is amended, “covering the hair of the head and neck for women.” ”, which means that women will not be required to cover their hair on their heads and necks when attaching a photo for inclusion on a national identity card.