Rabat – Dozens of Russian internet users have taken to social media to mock Moroccan ambassador Lotfi Bouchaara for his Moroccan white Djellaba.
The diplomat wore the traditional outfit during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, when he presented his credentials to the Russian leader.
The ambassador’s look did not satisfy many Russian internet users, who used Twitter to share photos and videos of the ambassador.
Some of the Twitter users even went so far as to link the Moroccan Djellaba with a medical hazmat suit.
Не пугайтесь это только посол Марокко. Он как будто только, что вышел из новостей про коронавирус. pic.twitter.com/sj6lilNO2u
— Михаил Родионов. (@starfox26) February 5, 2020
A Russian Twitter user said, “Do not worry, this is only the ambassador of Morocco. It was as if he had just come out of the news about the coronavirus.”
Sharing a photo of the ambassador of Morocco with Putin, another Twitter user said: “Turns out it was the ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco.”
The Djellaba, a Moroccan traditional outfit, is one of Morocco’s cultural customs.
Оказывается это был посол Королевства Марокко pic.twitter.com/FxVEKsz7MD
— MMK (@MMK_____) February 5, 2020
Officials in Morocco wear the outfit at formal traditional events, such as religious ceremonies, in Morocco.
MPs and officials also wear Djellabas at the opening of the legislative year of the Moroccan parliament every October.
Some Moroccan ambassadors also wear the traditional during meetings with head of states to present their credentials.
Moroccan ambassador to South Africa Youssef Amrani wore a Djellaba during his meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
