Should Michelle Obama (and others) have worn a head scarf?

[CrazyTights]

www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/01/27/michelle-obama-forgoes-a-headscarf-and-sparks-a-backlash-in-saudi-arabia/

Should she (and other females from the west) have worn a head scarf in Saudi or was going without one acceptable?

So how come Americans have to dress like Saudis in SA but Saudis don't have to dress like Americans in America?

Maybe because American dress is not a religious requirement.

Personally, I think she should have worn one but I don't feel strongly about it.

Purits, as far as I am aware, the majority of American dressing is not linked to religious observance, where it is in SA. No one is saying that MO was made to abandon an aspect of her religion. Many Christians, myself included, cover their hair.

That's correct Soup but she's not a muslim so shouldn't be asked to dress according to their rules.

Personally I think it's polite to respect religious requirements. For example, I am atheist but I wouldn't wear skimpy clothing to go to church and I would cover shoulders etc as required elsewhere.

If she doesn't want to do that she should stay away.

What about this woman? (hint: not American).

Maybe because American dress is not a religious requirement.

a) since when do people have to adopt the dress code of a religion of which they are not a member?

b) the head scarf is not a religious requirement, not all Muslim women wear it.

Both Merkel and King Abdullah are/were heads of government in their respective countries. Same rank = no slight. MO is First Lady, but not head of government, so her actions are arrogant IMO

The Queen of Jordan never covers her head and I reckon she's probably Moslem. It's not a religious requirement, it's a cultural requirement. She was dressed 'modestly'. I think she judged it perfectly, actually.

Are you American, Purit? If so, you are not showing your country in a good light, you sound very arrogant too.

I'm fairly positive this will have been cleared with Saudi - State visits are very detailed in protocol.

Seriously, purits, can you not see the difference between "American dress" and the dress requirements of a Muslim country.

I totally agree with your analogy Soup but I'm pretty sure you don't have to cover your head to enter a mosque. I took a couple of classes to visit mosques in Muslim countries (when I taught at an international school) and to the best of my recollection we didn't have to cover our heads. We only had to remove our shoes. Muslims don't see mosques as houses of God as Christians do. It is a religious requirement that Muslim women cover their heads when they pray but obviously the Obamas wouldn't be participating in that.

No. I think Michelle Obama was right. I used to think "follow local custom" but I've actually changed my mind.

Muhammad instructed his followers to dress certain ways (actually he might not have, this is open to debate) but I don't see any reason why non-Muslims should follow Islamic dress. Just like they are not going to pray five times a day.

Clearly it would have been inappropriate for her to wear a strappy vest or strapless dress and she was mindful of a level of expected modesty but headscarfs are particular to religious thinking and I don't think should be worn by people who don't subscribe to that religion or that interpretation of that religion.

Queen Noor has accepted her husband's religion, but is not a convert. There are many pictures of her in a head scarf here

In comparison, non-Sikhs do not wear turbans or silver bracelets when they visit Sikh dominated areas.

What about her?

Seriously, purits, can you not see the difference between "American dress" and the dress requirements of a Muslim country.

Yes but I don't like the 'heads I win, tails you lose' approach. Americans are expected to follow Saudi custom and called "arrogant" if they don't. But Saudis are not expected to make any alterations when visiting America. That's having cake and eat it.
If they want to follow their own customs wherever they travel then they have to allow others to do the same - which, according to bookish, is what they have done so it's a bit of a non-story!

I thought Lonny was referring to Queen Rania, not Queen Noor.

I am delighted she didn't

I don't think her rank should have much to do with it imho. The whole issue of women being required to cover their hair in SA is an issue of rank, isn't it - i.e. women rank lower than men!
I have never been to Saudi, but when I went to Morocco a few years ago, I covered my hair for the first few days to be respectful - then realised that no other Western women were and no one seemed to mind either way. If I was in Saudi, considering they're much more 'strict' I probably would cover my head, but ONLY because I myself would feel uncomfortable not doing so (because I've heard of Western women being sexually abused in Muslim countries).
I totally agree with Purits though - can't see any reason for MO to have covered her hair if she didn't want to. She's not Muslim. If Prince Philip visited Israel, would he have to grow his hair into payot (side curls) and wear a wide-brimmed black hat??

Sorry, yes, Queen Rania, chooses not to wear a headscarf but supports the right of others not to do so. However, she did cover with a veil when meeting the Pope.

I was referring to Queen Rania, yes Scone and not just because I follow her on twitter for the pretty pics

' I've heard of Western women being sexually abused in Muslim countries)' Goodness, the Daily Mail comes to Mumsnet, heaven help us.