Support NeoGAF

[Kraftwerk]

Barack Obama was in Riyadh on Tuesday to pay his respects to the late Saudi King Abdullah. His visit, for which he cut short a much-hyped trip to India, underscores how important the U.S.-Saudi relationship remains to the American leadership. On social media, however, much of the attention has focused on something else: His wife's attire.

More than 1,500 tweets using the hashtag #ميشيل_أوباما_سفور (roughly, #Michelle_Obama_unveiled) were sent Tuesday, many of which criticized the first lady. Some users pointed out that on a recent trip to Indonesia, Michelle had worn a headscarf. Why not in Saudi Arabia?

Still, the Obamas' trip to Saudi Arabia comes at a time of remarkable international criticism of Saudi Arabia's human rights record, prompted largely by the flogging of blogger Raif Badawi for insulting Islam. The trip was apparently designed to be apolitical – Obama has said he was "unlikely" to discuss Badawi's case with the new Saudi king.

But in Saudi Arabia, the simple act of not covering your head can be political, intentionally or not.

Washington Post

 

[Kibbles]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Didn't Selena Gomez get hate for cultural appropriation for wearing one? lol

 

[Team Filler]

Doesn't even need a gif post, OP's got me covered.

Saudi Arabia, y u mad tho?

 

[m_shortpants]

seems strange that she'd wear one to indonesia but not saudi arabia.

oh well. haters gonna hate. internet gonna internet.

 

[terrene]

Oh darn, did she not submit like the frightened, oppressed women you're used to? That must have been rough.

 

[Jørdan]

Good girl.

 

[CrazyDude]

seems strange that she'd wear one to indonesia but not saudi arabia.

oh well. haters gonna hate. internet gonna internet.

You are not forced to wear one in Indonesia.

 

[Tesseract]

civis romanus, bitches

 

[Christopher]

You are not forced to wear one in Indonesia.

You shouldn't be forced to wear one anywhere.

 

[rude]

Michelle doesn't fucking play w/those facial expressions and I appreciate that. I LIVE. There will never be a first lady like this health and fitness queen ever again.

 

[Mimosa97]

Well played Michelle.

 

[Deified Data]

Good. Let them simmer. Their culture needs to be disregarded as many times as it takes for them to stop taking this sort of thing as an offense.

 

[PhoenixDark]

Good.

 

[TimeEffect]

seems strange that she'd wear one to indonesia but not saudi arabia.

oh well. haters gonna hate. internet gonna internet.

If that pic is of her in Indonesia, she looks like she really hates it

 

[anaron]

Haha, slaaaaay

 

[Paertan]

"Because I felt like it" - Michelle

Ok it is a bit weird but come on.

 

[DrForester]

I will be disappointed if she did forget to bring it, and didn't "forget to bring it".

 

[TimeEffect]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Didn't Selena Gomez get hate for cultural appropriation for wearing one? lol

Context?

 

[Heshinsi]

She's not Muslim. Why would she be forced to do Muslim things?

 

[FZZ]

Saudi pls

You do you Michelle

She's not Muslim. Why would she be forced to do Muslim things?

Hijabs aren't "Muslim" things, it's a cultural thing. Hijabs are completely optional in the Quran.

 

[xbhaskarx]

Good.

Hijabs aren't "Muslim" things, it's a cultural thing. Hijabs are completely optional in the Quran.

So then no Muslim should care that she chose the "no hijab" option...

 

[Piggus]

Kinda funny that she would wear one in Indonesia and not SA. Indonesia's brand of Islam is pretty relaxed compared to the middle east and girls not covering up is totally normal and acceptable there, especially when it comes to the younger generation. Well, at least in Jakarta from my experience. My gf is Indonesian and muslim and her and the vast majority of her friends don't wear a headscarf unless they're at a mosque or doing some other activity that's specifically religious. Even my gf's mom doesn't wear one and she's pretty religious.

 

[liquidtmd]

I detest how one simple oversight can spark such 'backlash' and outrage.

Yes, not wearing a headscarf means she hates you. She'll probably receive death threats because of it. Smh

 

[CoffeeJanitor]

Shouldn't have worn in indonesia

 

[Cyan]

Shocking. Michelle should've been forced to wear a headscarf, just as we force women who come to America from Saudi Arabia to forgo them.

 

[Mimosa97]

You shouldn't be forced to wear one anywhere.

List of muslims countries that i know of and where you're not forced to wear a headscarf : Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Indonesia, Dubai, Egypt, Syria, Jordan etc... You could also say Turkey even though it's not a muslim country per se.

In fact, there are very few muslim countries where wearing a headscarf is mandatory for women. And yeah, it's a disgrace and such rules shouldn't even exist.

 

[J10]

Shocking. Michelle should've been forced to wear a headscarf, just as we force women who come to America from Saudi Arabia to forgo them.

Exactly! Hey, wait a minute...

 

[ponpo]

Also 1,500 tweets warrants a Washington Post article?

 

[SolarPowered]

Kinda funny that she would wear one in Indonesia and not SA. Indonesia's brand of Islam is pretty relaxed compared to the middle east and girls not covering up is totally normal and acceptable there, especially when it comes to the younger generation. Well, at least in Jakarta from my experience. My gf is Indonesian and muslim and her and the vast majority of her friends don't wear a headscarf unless they're at a mosque or doing some other activity that's specifically religious. Even my gf's mom doesn't wear one and she's pretty religious.

I think it makes sense. When you visit a foreign country that doesn't force customs and traditions down your throat you might feel like you want to indulge or even participate in their practices if given the chance. When you visit a place where people are regularly forced to adhere to strict rules and standards you might not be as compliant and forgiving. If I were one of the most well known women in the world I'd relish the chance to make backwards (only backwards, not normal and progressive) Saudis squirm.

 

[Mista Koo]

Hijabs aren't "Muslim" things, it's a cultural thing. Hijabs are completely optional in the Quran.

They are Muslim things and not "optional." Unless by optional you mean you are not forced to wear them then yes (no one should be forced to wear it).

 

[block tower]

good.

 

[DontBeThatGuy]

Shut the fuck up, Saudi Arabia.

 

[mj1108]

Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

If she wore one, Fox News would be all over her about it.

 

[Madness]

Imagine if Hillary Clinton becomes the next President. Do you actually expect her to wear a headscarf to visit Saudi Arabia as the most powerful person in the world and leader of the only superpower?

It's ultimately Michelle Obama's choice. She chose to wear one in Indonesia, she didn't here. Get over it.

 

[Jburton]

She's not Muslim. Why would she be forced to do Muslim things?

She is visiting a Muslim land, only an ignorant fool disregards the traditions of the people in whose land they are in.

People operating within diplomatic circles should be aware of this.

 

[sandy1297]

List of muslims countries that i know of and where you're not forced to wear a headscarf : Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Indonesia, Dubai, Egypt, Syria, Jordan etc... You could also say Turkey even though it's not a muslim country per se.

In fact, there are very few muslim countries where wearing a headscarf is mandatory for women. And yeah, it's a disgrace and such rules shouldn't even exist.

Indonesia is not a muslim country

 

[Mimosa97]

They are Muslim things and not "optional." Unless by optional you mean you are not forced to wear them then yes (no one should be forced to wear it).

Headscarfs aren't a muslim thing. My grand-mother was very catholic and when she got old she started wearing headscarfs. Nuns do too. I know jewish hassidic women here in Montreal who cover their hair. So please tell me, how is that a muslim thing ?

And yeah it's optional in the Qu'ran. Nowhere is it written that muslim women have to cover their hair. It's more of a cultural thing.

 

[hateradio]

She is visiting a Muslim land, only an ignorant fool disregards the traditions of the people in whose land they are in.

People operating within diplomatic circles should be aware of this.

So everyone visiting America should carry a bald eagle and an AK-47?

(I don't even know what kind of gun that is.)

 

[Mimosa97]

Indonesia is not a muslim country

Yes you're right.

Big muslim majority (90%) but not a muslim country.

 

[GQman2121]

Bezos got the Post on the cutting edge of journalism. 1,500 Tweets? Who gives a shit?

Indonesia is not a muslim country

You better check your number there. It's overwhelmingly Muslim.

 

[LegalEagleMike]

just dont raise my gas prices

 

[Tinfoilhatsron]

Shocking. Michelle should've been forced to wear a headscarf, just as we force women who come to America from Saudi Arabia to forgo them.

1. Are women forced to wear a piece of clothing?

2. If the answer to question 1 is yes, then you live in an oppresive country.

You could expand this to racism and others.

 

[archnemesis]

So please tell me, how is that a muslim thing ?

Several Muslim posters on this board consider it a religious requirement. It all depends on interpretation.

 

[teacupcopter]

Indonesia is not a muslim country

It's 87% Muslim and has the most muslims living in it in the world?? Or are you saying that it's a secularly run country?

 

[Tinfoilhatsron]

I think it makes sense. When you visit a foreign country that doesn't force customs and traditions down your throat you might feel like you want to indulge or even participate in their practices if given the chance. When you visit a place where people are regularly forced to adhere to strict rules and standards you might not be as compliant and forgiving. If I were one of the most well known women in the world I'd relish the chance to make backwards (only backwards, not normal and progressive) Saudis squirm.

Exactly! This is the answer. Fuck those oppressive assholes.

 

[Trouble]

Some users pointed out that on a recent trip to Indonesia, Michelle had worn a headscarf. Why not in Saudi Arabia?

Because fuck them, that's why.

 

[Infinite]

It's 87% Muslim and has the most muslims living in it in the world?? Or are you saying that it's a secularly run country?

I think they're saying the later.

 

[Ozzy Onya A2Z]

It's time Western culture started some traditions we can force on our visitors. I call for basketball shorts hanging off your arse and Air Jordan shoes of ridiculous colours as a starting point, for all women

Oh and the only acceptable headdress is a sideways baseball cap.

 

[FZZ]

They are Muslim things and not "optional." Unless by optional you mean you are not forced to wear them then yes (no one should be forced to wear it).

That's what optional means. And yes it is cultural, headscarves are popular among non-Muslim around the world too.

 

[Vermillion]

Shouldn't have worn in indonesia

Honestly, this is sort of where I'm at. Had she simply chosen not to wear one ever, that would be fine. But considering she had no objections to wearing it elsewhere, it kind of looks like a political statement.