By Robert Laurie ——Bio and Archives--January 28, 2015
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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.If you're asking yourself "who cares?" Well, that's the right reaction. You have that view because you've opted to live here in the 21st century with the rest of us. Unfortunately, not everyone has decided to make the move. Almost immediately, an Arabic hashtag appeared on Twitter which translates roughly to "Michelle Obama Uncovered." While a few of the people using it were supportive, the vast majority were initially Muslims attacking the First Lady for her impudent clothing decisions. It seems that Mrs. Obama has stepped upon the delicate sensibilities of various nations which endorse the oppressive treatment of women, honor killings, capital punishment for gays, persecution of rape victims, and on, and on, and on.
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