Regardless of how you may feel about Michelle Obama, such as with her Nanny State school food controls, this was brave and and an excellent demonstration
(AP) For first lady Michelle Obama, just a few hours in Saudi Arabia were enough to illustrate the stark limitations under which Saudi women live.
Joining President Barack Obama for a condolence visit after the death of the King Abdullah, Mrs. Obama stepped off of Air Force One wearing long pants and a long, brightly colored jacket — but no headscarf.
Under the kingdom’s strict dress code for women, Saudi females are required to wear a headscarf and loose, black robes in public. Most women in Saudi Arabia cover their hair and face with a veil known as the niqab. But covering one’s head is not required for foreigners, and some Western women choose to forego the headscarf while in Saudi Arabia.
As a delegation of dozens of Saudi officials — all men — greeted the Obamas in Riyadh, some shook hands with Mrs. Obama. Others avoided a handshake but acknowledged the first lady with a nod as they passed by.
Almost none shook hands with Michelle Obama.
(Politico) First lady Michelle Obama faced backlash from Twitter users in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for not wearing a head covering during her brief visit there with the president.
Obama wore loose-fitting clothes including a long blue jacket and dark pants while accompanying President Barack Obama during their four hours on the ground in Riyadh to offer condolences on the death of King Abdullah and for the president to meet with new King Salman.
On Twitter, Saudis used a hashtag that translates to “#Michelle_Obama_Immodest†or “#Michelle_Obama_NotVeiled†to chastise the first lady for being disrespectful to Saudi traditions.
Some Saudis were upset that she had worn a head covering on a recent trip to Indonesia. However, many foreign females were also not wearing any sort of head covering, as noted in the Washington Post article. Michelle’s arms were fully covered, though that might have been more of a “dress kinda properly for a State funeral visit” thing.
Mrs. Obama’s office has refused to address the issue, so we do not know why she did not wear a head covering. Regardless, good for her.
Crossed at Right Wing News.
I hate to admit it, but the Obama’s finally did something, after 6 years, for which I have respect and agree. There is no reason for a woman conducting US business in the East to cover up or act in a secondary role. If the Muslims don’t like it, then they can stop doing business with us and stop making us invade them.
It’s always entertaining ranking conservatives’ degrees of hatred.
Based on this post, you hate generic Muslims (even military allies) more than you hate Michelle Obama.
(I agree that she behaved appropriately, and the Saudis can suck it if they don’t like it).
Jeff,
You use the word hate a good bit. Why? I don’t care for old Michelle, I think she has been pampered by our government and received largesse that is not available to the rest of us (before her husband became president). I condemn her for trying to force her will on our children and their lives (no, her food war does nothing, will not get into that). I find her to generally be an embarrassment to our country in her role as first lady.
As to Muslims, I recognize, just like Hitchens (who you should know of and adore) that we are at war with them and I don’t fall into the trap (as you) of thinking that they are not something to contend with. Because you can not see a danger does not mean it is not present, especially with your general lack of knowledge and background.
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