Saudi TV presenters break new ground by wearing niqab

Female presenters on the Saudi channel Awtan TV

Amani Fikri BBC Arabic Service

Until recently you would never have seen women presenting television programmes dressed from head to toe in the niqab or burqa. But on the Saudi religious channel Awtan TV it has now become the norm.

Female broadcasters at the station are draped in the all-enveloping dresses, which are usually black and also cover their faces.

The work environment too is very different. Male technical assistants do not enter the studio while the women are presenting.

Full Article from the BBC. - December 9, 2009