Dubai: Social media in the UAE had a strong reaction against pictures posted on Barbadian recording artist Rihanna’s Instagram account, badgalriri, showing her posing and pouting in front of the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, while donning a black hijab. Rihanna was in the capital as part of her Diamonds World Tour.
rualuja posted on Instagram: “It’s evident that @badgalriri hasn’t done her research on the significance of a #mosque as she is clearly disrespecting it by posing in such a manner. … She’s an artist that’s all!!!”
hayaallawati asked: “What the heck is she doing lying outside the mosque like that?!”
A sentiment echoed by Fizza Jameel on the Gulf News Facebook page: “Nooo it’s not at al appropriate. .... plzzz respect the places of worship and respect the hijab.”
Yet another reader, Samira Al Hassouni posted: “It’s a sacred place, not a photoshoot location. I don’t understand how people think this is okay.”
A few had a humourous take. Mxrmmm wrote on Instagram: “The first time that I see you [Rihanna] with normal clothes.”
Others advocated tolerance. Randompersonette posted: “@shamila96 she’s not even right in front of the mosque. She’s not even being overtly disrespectful. Abu Dhabi doesn’t mess around so I’m sure she got some clearance on the rules. Muslims have sense of humour/fun too. #chill”
Facebook user A Rahumath Ulla raised the question that many others were asking on social media: “I don’t know how the authority let her to take a fashion shoot in front of mosque or inside the mosque?”
