U.S. policy changed for military in Saudi Arabia

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department has changed its policy regarding whether female members of the military in Saudi Arabia have to wear a head-to-toe garment — traditionally worn by Muslim women — when leaving their bases.

The military instructions, amended by the department’s Central Command, now state that “wear of the abaya in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged.” Local commanders also were directed “to remove any requirement to wear civilian clothing to cover the uniform.”

The action, made public Jan. 22, came after Air Force Lt. Col. Martha McSally sued Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to get the policy overturned. She believed the previous policy about abayas violated her constitutional rights to freedom of religion, speech and equal protection.