RIYADH Metro - BEING handsome is normally seen as a positive but for a number of men attending a cultural festival, it was the reason given to them for being thrown out. Many of us will never be faced with this problem - but for a contingent from the United Arab Emirates being ‘too handsome’ is actually a real concern. The delegates were reportedly ordered to leave an event in Saudi Arabia and then thrown out of the country because authorities thought their looks may corrupt young women.

Arabic newspaper Elaph said: ‘A festival official said the three Emiratis were taken out on the grounds they are too handsome and that the commission [for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vices] members feared female visitors could fall for them.’  But the men have denied their dashing looks were to blame for them being deported and instead said authorities were concerned by a female artist they were travelling with.