Michelle O doesn't wear a headscarf in Saudi Arabia

[Anonymous]

I'm looking forward to the mouthbreather reaction to this one. Will they be able to reconcile their hatred for Michelle O. with their hatred for Islam?

http://wtop.com/world/2015/01/reaction-michelle-obama-doesnt-wear-headscarf-saudi-arabia/

[Anonymous]

^^ Of course, Condi Rice never wore one either.

[Anonymous]

Laura Bush also didn't wear a headscarf when she visited Saudi.

I think this is the right decision. Wearing a headscarf should be a personal decision, and no one should be pressured to wear one - Muslim or not, political visit or not.

I also think it was smart of her to attend the meeting of the dignitaries. It highlights the absolute backwardsness of conservative Saudi's in their total ignoring of women. A few men acknowledged her and shook her hand, but most pretended she didn't even exist standing there. That looks bad for Saudi Arabia. It's shameful.

Good for Michelle O! Love her!

[Anonymous]

"Under the kingdom’s strict dress code for women, Saudi females are required to wear a headscarf and loose, black robes in public."

Michelle is not a Saudi female.

[Anonymous]

I am married to an Egyptian Muslim who does business in different middle eastern countries. I told him I'd never go somewhere I was forced to wear a headscarf. I can see Condi having to go to KSA because it was her job. But couldn't Michelle have taken a pass on this trip?

[Anonymous]

I think it's sad that people this day and age live under threat of violence for superstitious reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Laura Bush also didn't wear a headscarf when she visited Saudi.

I think this is the right decision. Wearing a headscarf should be a personal decision, and no one should be pressured to wear one - Muslim or not, political visit or not.

I also think it was smart of her to attend the meeting of the dignitaries. It highlights the absolute backwardsness of conservative Saudi's in their total ignoring of women. A few men acknowledged her and shook her hand, but most pretended she didn't even exist standing there. That looks bad for Saudi Arabia. It's shameful.

Good for Michelle O! Love her!

Muslim here. I agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Laura Bush also didn't wear a headscarf when she visited Saudi.

I think this is the right decision. Wearing a headscarf should be a personal decision, and no one should be pressured to wear one - Muslim or not, political visit or not.

I also think it was smart of her to attend the meeting of the dignitaries. It highlights the absolute backwardsness of conservative Saudi's in their total ignoring of women. A few men acknowledged her and shook her hand, but most pretended she didn't even exist standing there. That looks bad for Saudi Arabia. It's shameful.

Good for Michelle O! Love her!

Touching an unrelated female is actual prohibited under Islam (do remember which sect), so this is not really ignoring. The article I read stated that the one who did not shake nodded - which I understand is an acceptable alternative to hand shakes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Laura Bush also didn't wear a headscarf when she visited Saudi.

I think this is the right decision. Wearing a headscarf should be a personal decision, and no one should be pressured to wear one - Muslim or not, political visit or not.

I also think it was smart of her to attend the meeting of the dignitaries. It highlights the absolute backwardsness of conservative Saudi's in their total ignoring of women. A few men acknowledged her and shook her hand, but most pretended she didn't even exist standing there. That looks bad for Saudi Arabia. It's shameful.

Good for Michelle O! Love her!

Touching an unrelated female is actual prohibited under Islam (do remember which sect), so this is not really ignoring. The article I read stated that the one who did not shake nodded - which I understand is an acceptable alternative to hand shakes.

Totally agree about the handshakes. But they should have greeted her. (I have no clue if they did or not).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Laura Bush also didn't wear a headscarf when she visited Saudi.

I think this is the right decision. Wearing a headscarf should be a personal decision, and no one should be pressured to wear one - Muslim or not, political visit or not.

I also think it was smart of her to attend the meeting of the dignitaries. It highlights the absolute backwardsness of conservative Saudi's in their total ignoring of women. A few men acknowledged her and shook her hand, but most pretended she didn't even exist standing there. That looks bad for Saudi Arabia. It's shameful.

Good for Michelle O! Love her!

Touching an unrelated female is actual prohibited under Islam (do remember which sect), so this is not really ignoring. The article I read stated that the one who did not shake nodded - which I understand is an acceptable alternative to hand shakes.

This is not true. It's what some very conservative Muslims believe, but is by no means is it a prohibition in Islam. It's extremely rude of them.

I was raised Muslim, and a nod is not an "acceptable alternative" - it's highly offensive. It means you're painting me as someone who will taint you, or you can't control yourself around me (or other women). It's rude and highly offensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Laura Bush also didn't wear a headscarf when she visited Saudi.

I think this is the right decision. Wearing a headscarf should be a personal decision, and no one should be pressured to wear one - Muslim or not, political visit or not.

I also think it was smart of her to attend the meeting of the dignitaries. It highlights the absolute backwardsness of conservative Saudi's in their total ignoring of women. A few men acknowledged her and shook her hand, but most pretended she didn't even exist standing there. That looks bad for Saudi Arabia. It's shameful.

Good for Michelle O! Love her!

Muslim here. I agree.

+1. Would a Muslim woman remove her hijab if they were greeting politicos here? I think not. So why should Michelle Obama or Laura Bush wear a headscarf?

[Anonymous]

^^^ Well, Saudi Arabia in general is a highly offensive nation. In many ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am married to an Egyptian Muslim who does business in different middle eastern countries. I told him I'd never go somewhere I was forced to wear a headscarf. I can see Condi having to go to KSA because it was her job. But couldn't Michelle have taken a pass on this trip?[/quote]

Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am married to an Egyptian Muslim who does business in different middle eastern countries. I told him I'd never go somewhere I was forced to wear a headscarf. I can see Condi having to go to KSA because it was her job. But couldn't Michelle have taken a pass on this trip?[/quote]

Why?

I wouldn't to such a dispicable country unless I absolutely had to. She hasn't gone with her husband on every diplomatic trip, has she?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am married to an Egyptian Muslim who does business in different middle eastern countries. I told him I'd never go somewhere I was forced to wear a headscarf. I can see Condi having to go to KSA because it was her job. But couldn't Michelle have taken a pass on this trip?

I don't think so -- wasn't this a last-minute addition to the India trip already in progress?