Dress code comes in effect for women at Shia monuments

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - LUCKNOW: Women tourists visiting the Imambaras or any other Shia monument in the city will now have to keep their head covered.Hussainbad Trust, in consultation with Shia clerics, has imposed a dress code for women tourists which came into effect from Monday. This has been done to ensure the religious sanctity of these monuments besides maintaining public decorum, said Trust members.Recently Shia Waqf Board had banned the entry of tourists to Imambaras demanding that religious code of conduct be observed at all Shia monuments. The demand was later accepted by the state government.For the convenience of tourists, especially those from abroad, the Trust has set up a counter at Bada Imambara from where duppattas would be issued free of cost. The women can wear the same while visiting other Shia monuments in the vicinity.Secretary of the trust and ADM west HP Shahi said, "Just as tourists visit the Golden Temple or Ajmer Sharif with covered head, it is good to see that the same will be done here too."Nasir Naqvi, OSD, Hussainabad Trust, said, "Though 90% of the women visitors cover their head while visiting Shia monuments, this code will ensure 100% decorum."Vipin Bakshi, a city based tour operator, said "A week back our agency had taken a group of South African tourists to the Imambaras but they were denied entry as no one was aware of this dress code." He added that now tour operators should inform the tourists in advance about the code./129