Saudi cleric says 'girls shouldn't do make-up while meeting prospective grooms'

Women shouldn't appear wearing make-up or fancy attire in front of their prospective grooms for the first time, or says a Saudi cleric.

Abdul Rahman Al Barrak said on his Twitter account that the would-be fiance should be able to see his bride-to-be in her natural looks, as make-up was deceptive. "It is similar to the deception used in the past to embellish slaves and sell them," Gulf News reported.

The religious scholar was answering an online question about if a woman could wear make-up before seeing her prospective fiance for the first time.

Al Barrak said that the best solution to remedy to avoid any confusion regarding her appearance would be for the groom to see the woman without anyone any prior notice to her, so that she was in a natural setting which would enable him to take his decision regarding the marriage proposal.

He explained that such an arrangement would ensure the woman is spared the humiliation of a direct and open rejection by the would-be groom at their face-to-face meeting in the presence of family members.