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Rabat – During an official trip to Abu Dhabi with her husband, French First Lady Brigitte Macron paid a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, during which she walked barefoot and with her head covered, sparking strong reactions on social media in France.
As she was accompanying the French President Emmanuel Macron on his official visit to the United Arab Emirates for the opening ceremony of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first lady of France took the opportunity to visit one of the nation’s most important religious sites, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on November 9.
In a mark of respect to local customs, Brigitte Macron opted for a more covering outfit than usual. She was pictured wearing a white pant suit, while covering her head in leopard-print scarf that only showed her face and bangs.
Also, when entering the prayer room, the 64-year-old did not hesitate to remove her shoes to continue the visit barefoot as a sign of respect.
Indeed, many Twitter users expressed their outrage against the first lady for appearing veiled during the tour.
Quand Marine Le Pen refuse catégoriquement de porter le voile au Liban, Brigitte #Macron se soumet aux Emirats-Arabes-Unis. Quelle honte ! pic.twitter.com/CZfCu73IZY
— ? Pierrick ? (@Viking__Normand) November 9, 2017
[When Marine Le Pen categorically refuses to wear the veil in Lebanon, Brigitte Macron submits to the United Arab Emirates. What a shame!]
Brigitte Macron n’honore pas la France en se précipitant pour porter le voile à Abou Dabi.
Merci à Marine Le Pen d’avoir rappelé les valeurs d’insoumission de la femme française en refusant de porter le voile il y a quelques mois au Liban. pic.twitter.com/GTD9UXrVrI
— Avec Marine ?? (@avec_marine) November 9, 2017
[Brigitte Macron does not honor France by rushing to wear the veil in Abu Dhabi. Thank you Marine Le Pen for recalling the values of insubordination of the French woman by refusing to wear the veil a few months ago in Lebanon.]
#Brigitte #Macron porte le voile aux Emirats-Arabes-Unis, heureuse de se soumettre!? pic.twitter.com/tg7qxW9uic
— djaouani (@dj_djaouani) November 9, 2017
[#Brigitte #Macron wears the veil in the United Arab Emirates, happy to be submitted!]
Meanwhile, others quickly took the defense of the first lady.
Aucune critique à formuler sur le voile de Brigitte #Macron: non seulement elle est dans un pays musulman mais en plus (et surtout) elle visite la mosquée Sheikh Zayed d’Abu Dhabi. @Elysee pic.twitter.com/4Gd78bdCYy
— Netchys ? Zeus (@netchys) November 9, 2017
[No criticism to make on the veil of Brigitte #Macron: She is not only in a Muslim country but she is on a visit to Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi.]
Mme Brigitte Macron visite la grande mosquée Cheikh Zayed d’Abu Dhabi. #FranceUAE #FranceEmirats ???? pic.twitter.com/GEvRoAVXSo
— France aux Emirats (@FranceEmirats) November 9, 2017
[Mrs. Brigitte Macron on a visit to to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi]
