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.
Nevada judge retires after court grants protective order to attorney she was accused of stalking
Trump says US should have tested NATO by invoking Article 5 over border security
Top 5 moments from Jack Smith’s testimony on Capitol Hill
Trump snubs Canada by withdrawing country’s invite to join ‘most prestigious Board of Leaders ever’
Newly minted Virginia AG who fantasized about opponent’s family dying roasted over glaring typo
Video captures Detroit student allegedly wielding box cutter in classroom chase as teacher intervenes
Inside ‘MELANIA’: The unprecedented access behind Melania Trump’s first film
Armed carjacker’s wild Corvette rampage turns downtown into war zone; sergeant wounded in deadly shootout
Trump calls for investigation into Ilhan Omar’s wealth, says it should start ‘NOW’
Former Des Moines schools chief pleads guilty to falsely claiming US citizenship and gun charge
‘Abhorrent’: 76 Republicans Vote to Keep Carveouts for Child Sex Change Groups in Spending Package
Key takeaways from Jack Smith’s House Judiciary testimony
FBI Arrests Leftist Who Dared Pam Bondi to ‘Come and Get Me’ After Storming Minnesota Church
Republicans narrowly reject efforts to handcuff Trump’s war powers in Venezuela
Klobuchar files for Minnesota governor run after Walz abandons reelection bid
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.
