Manama: Saudis have been sharply divided over the reaction of an old man who delayed a Saudi Arabian Airlines domestic flight after he kept shouting at an air-hostess for not wearing a headscarf.

The passengers and his companion were boarding the plane flying from Taif in the west of the Saudi kingdom to the capital Riyadh when they saw the stewardess. They told her in front of all the other passengers and crew members that she should cover her hair.

Crew members stepped in and tried to calm the two men and to make them continue their boarding, but they kept shouting at the air hostess who was shocked by their unexpected attitude, Saudi news site Al Marsad reported on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia air hostesses are not obliged to wear a headscarf according to its published job requirements, however the uniform includes a hat.

The crew was forced to call the airport security agents to “deplane” the two men, and the plane was eventually able to fly out, one hour behind its schedule.

Those who supported the old man and his companion applauded them, saying they were contributing to the consolidation of the local values.

The users said the two passengers should have been thanked for showing consideration for the stewardesses working for a Saudi airline.

“There is a serious problem with Saudi companies that hire women without specifying that they should wear the headscarf,” Sultan, an online user, said. “It is part of the local culture and the women should adhere to it. If they do not like the rules, they do not apply to work. It is very simple,” he posted.

Tayyeb, another user, said that it was the duty of all Saudis to defend the traditions and values of the kingdom.

“The best solution for a problem is to avoid the problem in the first place,” he said. “The airline should not put women in direct contact with passengers and thus avoid awkward situations, especially for those keen on preserving traditions and customs,” he said.

However, Shihana, another user, said the old man and his companion were wrong in making public and loud remarks to the air-hostess, stressing they had no right to address her.

“Their irresponsible behaviour and reckless attitude gives the wrong impression about Islam and the way Muslims present advice and recommendations,” she said. “She is not going to appreciate such remarks in any way, and there will be hostility towards anyone who wishes to give her advice. At least, the two men could have talked with the plane senior crew, and not addressed the stewardess in such a manner,” she added.