Kashmir islamists warn tourists to dress "modestly"

SRINAGAR, India - The Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir has asked tourists visiting the Valley to desist from wearing skimpy clothes and warned them of an angry reaction if they failed to do so. "Some tourists, mostly foreigners, are seen wandering in short mini-skirts and other objectionable dresses openly which is against local ethos and culture. 

"This is not acceptable to civil society at all," the Jamaat, a politico-religious organisation, said yesterday in a statement here.

The Kashmir Valley is witnessing a surge in tourist arrivals over the last two years.

Nearly 15 lakh tourists arrived here last year and over five lakh tourists have visited the Valley this year so far.

Jamaat asked the state tourism department to "impress on tourists to honour local ethos".

"It is the duty of the department officials to impress on tourists to honour local ethos failing which they can even force an angry reaction," it said.

The Jamaat said the guests were "supposed to respect sentiments of the host". It said "for simple monetary benefits, no nation can compromise on its morality and obligatory customs and as such endanger its future generation."

"We need no such guests who can become a cause of derailing society from the right track and spread immorality and immodesty in the name of tourism," the Jamaat said.

Sourced:eturbonews