Do foreigners have to wear hijab in Egypt?

As a tourist you don't have to cover your head, unless entering a mosque. It would be best to carry a pocket head scarf wherever you go and slip it on whenever it's required. If you're blonde, wearing a headscarf will help you avoid any unwanted attention.



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Pants, t-shirts, and long-sleeve shirts are acceptable as clothes to wear in Egypt. Avoid wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts to fit in with local customs. Men do not need a head-covering scarf to enter mosques.

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The looser your clothes are, the better. Form-fitting clothing can be just as poorly received as exposed skin. Packing a couple of tunics and long-sleeved shirts that you can slip over the top of your outfits is also a good idea for easy layering in more conservative areas.

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Egyptian men do not often wear shorts, but they are perfectly fine for a male tourist to wear. Aside from beachside resort cities, it is not recommended for female tourists to ever wear shorts in Egypt. Before traveling to Egypt for the first time, many travelers ask us what clothes to bring.

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But, as Egypt is an Islamic country it is to be expected. Remember, everyone is in the same boat. Wearing shorts, strappy tops, mini skirts, clothing that reveals too much flesh is a big NO. It will draw a lot of attention and, most importantly, it's seen as disrespectful to locals.

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Can I wear shorts in Cairo? Cairo is not a coastal city or anything like that, so it is not common to wear shorts there… But as long as they're not hot shorts; it's OK to wear them.

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Covering your hair in Egypt It is a valid concern as over 90% of women in the country do wear a headscarf, per The New York Times (via Washington Institute). Ultimately, however, it is your choice as it's not mandatory for tourists to wear a hijab, unless they are visiting a mosque, per A Dangerous Business.

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As a tourist you aren't expected to wear a hijab or any other hair or facial covering in Egypt. The only exception to this is if you're visiting a mosque – in that case, you do indeed need to respect the fact that you're entering a religious building and cover up.

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Wearing a hijab is an obligation for Muslim women, but there are some circumstances in which it can be removed. These include prayer, being around immediate family members, breastfeeding during an emergency, travel, and sports or physical education participation.

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Pants, t-shirts, and long-sleeve shirts are acceptable as clothes to wear in Egypt. Avoid wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts to fit in with local customs. Men do not need a head-covering scarf to enter mosques.

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Egypt is a country that is largely influenced by Islamic culture. We recommend that you respect local traditions, follow the local people, and not be too flashy when traveling: do not wear shorts, mini-skirts, or clothing that may appear provocative (such as bikinis, low-cut blouses, crop tops, etc.).

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Just remember to cover up from your shoulders to below the knee. While women are expected to dress more conservatively than men, even the fellas should leave the short shorts and tight singlets at home. Also, avoid packing anything in white.

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