Michelle Obama forgoes headscarf in Saudi Arabia, sparks controversy

28 Jan 2015 12:53 PM IST

US First Lady Michelle Obama stepped off of Air Force One wearing pants and a long brightly coloured jacket, but no headscarf. (Photo: AP)
Saudi Arabian embassy in the US denied media reports that Saudi TV "blurred" image of First Lady Michelle Obama. (Photo: AP)
Although most women in Saudi Arabia cover their hair and face with a veil under it's strict Islamic Laws, US First Lady choose to forego the headscarf. (Photo: AP)
Saudi Arabia imposes many restrictions on women on the strict interpretation of Islamic Shariah (shah-REE'-yuh) law known as Wahhabism. (Photo: AP)
In Saudi Arabia, Guardianship laws also require women to get permission from a male relative to travel, get married, enrol in higher education or undergo certain surgical procedures. (Photo: AP)
Controversy erupted after reports that the country's state television had blurred out America's First Lady Michelle Obama. (Photo: AP)
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. (Photo: AP)
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. (Photo: AP)

US First Lady Michelle Obama stepped off of Air Force One wearing pants and a long brightly coloured jacket, but no headscarf. (Photo: AP)