Jackson goes shopping wearing an abaya

Manama: An abaya-clad Michael Jackson shakes hands with a shopping mall securityman in Manama on Wednesday.

The pop star took a shopping trip to the mall in Bahrain, covering himself with the traditional Arab women's robe and a veil, and holding a child by the hand.

It was not known whether the child was Jackson's, but he was seen leaving the mall through the back door with a woman - also clad in an abaya - and two other children, whose faces were covered by veil.

Jackson has been a frequent visitor to Bahrain and it has been reported that he was negotiating a position as a consultant with a Bahrain-based entertainment company.