In an attempt to reassert their power, Saudi Arabia's religious police have ordered shopkeepers in central Riyadh to get rid of all adorned abayas, the black robes worn by women in the kingdom, as shopping picks up ahead of the Eid holiday next week.

Salesmen in al-Maagaliah market, just across the block from the headquarters of the religious police, or mutawa'a , this week were turning away frustrated shoppers who wanted abayas with a hint of colour or decoration, telling them that shopowners could face fines or prison.