Some people in the Kingdom have started wearing the Palestinian “keffiyeh,” or headscarf, to express their anger against Israel's attack on Gaza and to show solidarity with the Palestinians facing a grave humanitarian crisis. “Keffiyehs” now have become a common sight in malls, markets, on gates of homes and villas and in car windows. Saudi designers have started to add the Palestinian material to their new collections to express their support for the people of Gaza. “Wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh” is a sign of solidarity with Gaza,” said Wejdan Tawfiq, Saudi designer. “For me it is very important to add it to my collection as it has become a new modern trend,” she added. Some people wear the “keffiyeh” around their necks, but several girls have been wrapping it around their waist, added Tawfiq. Ibrahim Madag, a Saudi designer who has participated in several exhibitions in Jeddah, is supporting the idea of adopting the Palestinian symbol in everything. “I suggest that those who want to support Gaza should use the Palestinian keffiyeh on belts, hats and in car windows,” said Madag. The cost of a Palestinian keffiyeh ranges between SR25 to SR75. “We have a large number of keffiyehs in different colors and made of different material,” said Ahmad Mansour, a shop owner in Aziz Mall. The price is not too high especially as compared to prices in other countries, he added. Social activists and academicians have come to accept that wearing the keffiyeh is a way to show solidarity with the suffering Palestinians. “It is a new way to express one's emotions about this tragedy,” said Dr. Mansour Bin Askar, professor in King Saud University in Riyadh. “The younger Saudi generation will use different ways to express their emotions. Wearing the keffiyeh is a way to express solidarity and support for the defense of Muslims' rights in Palestine,” added Bin Askar. Several teachers argued against the new trend. Students must wear the formal uniform, they insisted. “Students should attend school wearing a formal uniform. Wearing anything other than the uniform is illegal and may result in indiscipline,” said Ahmad Al-Zahrani, Manager of Umran Bin Hussain Government School. He said there are several other ways to express one's feelings of support for Palestinians; poetry in the morning school gathering, or drawing pictures during painting classes. “But all these activities must be organized by a teacher,” he said. Ahmad Mesfer, Manager of Al-Taisir Secondary Government School in Jeddah, also advocates various methods to show solidarity with the Palestinians. “We are ready to help people in Gaza by providing them with money, blood donations, food, and drugs, but wearing their keffiyeh is not going to help them in any way,” said Mesfer. Muna Al-Sulami, a Saudi student in the Arab Open University, wears the Palestinian “keffiyeh” in different colors daily. “I am wearing this keffiyeh to show my social compassion with Gaza and its citizens.”
