Is it mandatory (or highly recommended) for women/female tourists in Egypt to wear the head scarf?

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Balsam

You do not have to cover your head while in Egypt. This is for sure. Do not worry at all about this matter.

sistablu...Maat

No not at all. Unless you are visiting a mosque.It is only then you should wear loose fitting pant/jeans or a long or longish skirt, and a top that is modest in the neckline and have sleeves.
Egypt is a moderate Muslim country. In the cities such as Cairo you will notice that the majority of young women wear western clothes.
If you are going to rural areas then dress modestly but you certainly don't have to wear a scarf or veil.I live in Luxor and never wear the veil unless I am going to visit elderly relatives or to the Mosque
Relax and enjoy your trip to Egypt.

Kalooka

you were misinformed..there's nothing here in Egypt concerning what to wear is mandatory.
You must be mistaken with Saudi Arabia. precisely Mecca.

hasafer

So a pirate , ha ? wear whatever you like and make you comfortable .
you'r welcome

Wise Heart

I think you didn't get the information about Egypt specially. Don't mix between Egypt and other countries. You have to wear scarf only in special cases like visiting both Mosques or churches.
I hope you visit before you will be a pirate.

abdelhamidelsayed

Dear ,
the head scarf is neither mandatory nor highly recommended.
look for loose clothing and not showing too much of your body in Egypt if you want to be not looked at.
best of luck

Psycho

Neither..
Egyptians themselves are not obliged to wear the headscarf..yet modesty is recommended if you don't want to be looked at..

abfie

Nope, not mandatory, tons of European tourists go there, but if you want to visit any mosques you'll have to wear one. I've found that In Muslim countries sometimes I'm just more comfortable wearing a scarf though. (I have very light blond hair) You may be treated a bit more respectfully and you'll get more of the full cultural experience.

Esoteric

Wear what you like but it's nice to respect another's culture too. I don't wear the veil unless I plan to visit a mosque. Everywhere else I wear t-shirts and pants, no problems. Oh and I keep one of my kids with me, so I never get harassed. I'm overweight and foreign (rolls eyes) like anyone would ever pick up, on me, but it happens when I am alone. =)

No I am not easy at all, I am more modest and strict then many I do see in the street, maybe men think I can't speak Arabic and I don't understand, but for the most part I do. Egyptian men for the most part, they are great family men but the ones I see in the street may harass if they think you are game but its not that often.

Once I wore just to stop the seldom and not very often glares etc, but it wasn't reason enough for wearing.

Crazy girl

If you are staying at a resort then just wear what you want to wear. If you go shopping or walking around on the streets you should cover your shoulders, your back and cover your legs to the knee if not full length and not to lower cut top as you will gain more respect and you want receive unwanted attention. If visiting a mosque or any other similar religious place then you will be required to cover your head. It is a nice gesture to make wearing a head scarf but they don't expect you to wear one it really is up to you and how you feel. I never wear a head scarf when visiting Egypt and i visit regularly i just stick to covering my shoulders back and legs to the knee. I really wouldn't worry to much just enjoy your time there.

Viktoriya M

i live in Egypt for few years and not wearing any scarfs. It's not nessesary at all and not depending on your religion. You can wear it only if you want and nobody will ever push you. Enjoy your trip!

*~* Overwhelmed *~*

U DON'T have to wear it except only if u r going to a mosque.Other than that,it isn't obligatory to wear it.But u should wear pants or long skirts and avoid revealing clothes.

msafwat

Its neither mandatory (even for Egyptian women) and I would say nor highly recommended for foreigners.

The law doesn't impose any specific dress code as long as it is within public decency limits (Example: you'll be arrested if you decide to walk in Cairo downtown wearing a Bikini ;-).

But as most answers pointed... to avoid unnecessary attention in some places you should dress modestly. And respect religious dressing codes in Mosques (and Churches) when visiting.

For mosques you must cover your hair... long sleeves and long skirt or loose pants are required.

sweatheart

nooooooooo u do not have to

hazeltine4

It is not required. I took my daughter to the Muhammed Ali mosque (she is 22) and she did not have to cover her head. She did have to put a cloak on, and she was dressed respectfully.

It is respectful to wear one in smaller mosques, though.

wild bird

nop , if u r not muslim then don't wear it unless u r in a mosque (not sure abou the mosque but sure about the rest)

Dolores G. Llamas

Dress modestly, loose fitting clothing that covers the legs at least to the knees, blouses that cover the shoulders and chest and most of the arm.

As for the veil, no need to unless you go into a mosque. If you want you can though. In big cities like Cairo and Alex, veiling isn't necessary. At resorts, you can wear shorts & a tank top, even a swimsuit if you go into the water. In more rural areas, nix the short clothing and cover up as described in my 1st paragraph. Again, veiling even in more rural areas is not necessary, but it is a respectful gesture.

Killing Me Softly

hi!
well this isn't true, i went to Cairo two yrs ago and i met that Egyptian Muslim girl and she wasn't wearing head scarfs when i asked her about it she said that it is an optional thing and not vital.
hope my answer helped you

The Half-Blood Prince

It isn't mandatory, you don't have to wear it at all

lynneclaire

NO the only place you need to wear a scarf is if you visit a mosque. i have been to Egypt many many times and never worn a head scarf yet, except when visiting a mosque and neither do the vast majority of other tourists. but you dont have to believe me, google tourist pics of egypt and see for yourself.

iman(mooney )is brincizza

We'll no you don't HAVE to.. it's your decision.. because my sister doesn't wear a headscarf an she brought her American friend to Egypt an they never wore head scarfs cause they didn't have to.. but although there sometimes will be like guys just starring at you or like a guy if he dares will actually try to talk to you or say something... cause my sister before she got married she went to Egypt to get engaged an she brought her friend an her ,her husband,&friend went out an her husband almost got in a fight with a other guy in egypt cause he was trying to "hit" on my sister and her friend... but most likely.. the'll just stare at you lol but there all just nice people at heart :)
Goodluck!

â™¥Mâ™¥

no, if u plan on being a tourist, u don't have to wear a scarf on your head. some people that live there choose to, but tourists dont have to!!!!!

noky_flower

you know what egypt contains third of the world monuments on the earth in loxor so we have gotta to know tourists and deal with them and with there cloths what ever it was like you can go out with your swiming suit it is ok but just choose the place some places are so poor and so old they are not gonna under stand this but any place from which toursts like to visit it is ok egyptians used to see like that it is not a proplem not at all

chris_harris1313

It's recommended, but not mandatory. Egypt has one of the highest (if not the highest) Christian populations in the Arab world. However, I wouldn't go over there in shorts and a tank top...that would be downright rude. If you go there, make sure that you wear pants (or jeans), a t-shirt (which is a bit liberal), or a long sleeved shirt. As for your hair, make sure that you wear it back in a ponytail, or if that's not possible (as in if you have shorter hair), I would at the least wear a bandanna or a hat. It really depends on what part of Egypt you go to as well...obviously, in cities such as Alexandria and Al-Qahirah (Cairo), they are more accepting. If you plan on going to the more agricultural places (such as Bahariyya or possibly Luxor), it would be wise to wear the traditional head scarf. Hope this helps! Have fun if you do go! :)

Adam

It certainly is Not mandatory, but it is a very nice gesture. The more modestly u dress the better.

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