Rihanna asked to leave UAE mosque over photoshoot

The singer did not seek permission prior to posing in mosque compound.


News Desk October 22, 2013

Rihanna is known for being a controversial one, with nude photoshoots and other scandals.

So when pictures of her posing outside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi were posted online, it came as a bit of a surprise. The mosque’s staff revealed that the singer’s actions were considered to be at odds with the ‘sanctity’ of the site and thus, she was asked to leave the compound.

It was further reported that the singer did not seek permission to conduct a photoshoot on the premises, according to Daily Mail. Photos posted on her Instagram account over the weekend show the 25-year-old posing on white marble wearing a head-to-toe hooded black jumpsuit and posing provocatively with ruby red lips.

People took to Twitter to express their views: @BinttAlthee said, “Modeling in a mosque is just plain wrong. Who let her in,” while another tweeter @Ahmedcarter wrote, “Rihanna pics at Sheikh Zayed mosque are disrespectful to the place of worship.

A spokesperson for the mosque said Rihanna had come for a private tour, but had never coordinated her visit in advance.The mosque statement, published Monday in local newspapers, said Rihanna was in an area normally off limits for visitors. It says the fashion-style photo session violated rules on the "status and sanctity of the mosque."  

The mosque is a major tourist site in the United Arab Emirates' capital.

Rihanna has not commented on Saturday's incident.

COMMENTS (9)

S | 10 years ago | Reply

Would it make a difference if she was taking photographs inside a church? What if we were taking pictures in St Paul's Cathedral in London? Should we be stopped or asked to leave? What about the films and pictures taken of mosques, of people inside mosques? Of being in and around the Kaa'ba? We do it all the time. I don't think she meant any disrespect and this is just being blown out of proportion. Its not about being a 'liberal' or thinking we're 'whiter than white', its about applying the same principles across all religions and ethnic backgrounds. She obviously considered the building to be a beautiful piece of architecture despite all the Anti-Islamic sentiment. I don't see why this is 'news'.

Ahmed | 10 years ago | Reply

Rihanaa photo shoot at a mosque is right..... Ms universe photo shoot at Taj Mahal is wrong.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ