White House adviser Ivanka Trump donned a hijab — a traditional head covering to show modesty — during a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday.
In the past, both Ivanka Trump and First Lady Melania Trump had declined to cover their heads while visiting Muslim countries — as in President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia in May 2017.
And for much of her visit this weekend to the United Arab Emirates, where she was the keynote speaker at the Global Women’s Forum, Ivanka Trump did not cover her head.
But in a visit to a mosque, a holy site, diplomatic protocol typically requires adherence to custom and decorum — as is the case for the holy sites of other faiths, such as the Western Wall in Jerusalem, where men of all faiths are expected to wear kippot or yarmulkes in accordance with Jewish tradition. At the Vatican, both Melania and Ivanka Trump covered their heads when meeting with Pope Francis.
Madagascar’s president flees country following Gen Z protests
Ellen Greenberg’s controversial death ruled suicide again, new report ‘deeply flawed’ says lawyer
Jeffries tells Lawler to ‘keep your mouth shut’ as shutdown sparks Capitol Hill confrontations
Ex-Louisiana Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards says he won’t run for Senate
Man Charged with Killing His Daughter’s Alleged Rapist Launches Campaign for County Sheriff
Witkoff family to host fundraiser for Nate Morris, Ramaswamy to speak
Watch: Trump-Macron Handshake Turns Into a Grappling Session at Gaza Peace Summit
Investigators release video of possible abduction, showing woman screaming as she’s pulled away
Thune draws flak for ‘Native American Day’ post
Pakistan announces intention for second Nobel Peace Prize nomination for Trump over Gaza ceasefire role
Mamdani breaks silence on freed Israeli hostages in statement that doesn’t mention Trump
Trump Likened to Ancient Biblical Ruler Who Came to Aid of Israel, As Hostages Released, Peace Deal Signed
Ciattarelli team blasts opponent over ‘slanderous’ claim he profited from opioid deaths
North Carolina GOP plans vote on redrawing state’s House map
PepsiCo Announces ‘MAHA’ Makeovers for Doritos and Cheetos
In the Jewish faith, which Ivanka Trump shares, many married religious women also cover their heads out of modesty, especially in religious settings, though there is no Jewish equivalent of the Islamic veil.
In that context, Ivanka Trump’s visit to the mosque was also significant, as she is among the first Jewish people to be an honored guest of a kingdom that has been, until recently, cold toward Israel and Jews.
#إيفانكا_ترامب تزور #مسجد_الشيخ_زايد الكبير في #أبوظبي وتؤكد أن الجامع تحفة معمارية إسلامية رائعة من حيث الحداثة والتصميم #IvankaTrump#GWFD2020#البيان_القارئ_دائما pic.twitter.com/JA0ePP1atU
— صحيفة البيان (@AlBayanNews) February 16, 2020
The United Arab Emirates has, until recently, barred Israelis from entering the country, in a policy that has been described as antisemitic. However, relations are warming and those restrictions are being eased.
Ivanka Trump praised the United Arab Emirates for recent reforms that granted more freedom to women in the country, the AP reported.
Story cited here.