Later, at the king's Erga Palace, Mrs. Obama was one of the few women in the room (House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was there, too, also without a head scarf) filled with Saudi officials in full desert robes and headdresses.
The India trip was cut short by a day so that the Obamas could travel to Saudi Arabia to pay respects after the death of King Abdullah last week, and to meet with the new king.
Cultural norms in the Middle East in general can be tricky for westerners to negotiate when it comes to women and their attire in public. But it's not impossible, and attention to good manners helps: Over the years, Saudi kings have had no problem meeting Queen Elizabeth II. Hmmm......If i won't see the taj Mahal because of them, i surely won't cover up.
Saudis on Twitter criticize Michelle Obama for visiting Saudi with her hair uncovered ...More here from AlAhram
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