Saudi officials deny blurring images of Michelle Obama's uncovered head

Video showing the first lady's image blurred out was shared on several social media platforms


Web Desk January 28, 2015
Video showing the first lady's image blurred out was shared on several social media platforms. PHOTO: AFP

Saudi officials denied that Michelle Obama's uncovered head was blurred in a state television broadcast of the meeting between US president Barack Obama and the Kingdom's new king, ABC news reported. 

Obama and King Salman met briefly on the sidelines of King Abdullah's funeral who died last week.



LATEST: Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah dies at 90, Salman becomes new ruler



Television channels across Saudi Arabia showed King Salman welcoming Obama and his wife at the bottom of a red-carpeted ramp while a military band played the US and Saudi national anthems.

Michelle Obama wore a pair of slacks and a blue top with her hair uncovered. This was in stark contrast to Saudi women who are required to cover from head to toe.



PHOTO: REUTERS

A video showing the first lady's image blurred out was shared on several social media platforms as some criticised her for not covering her head with a headscarf.



PHOTO: DAILY MAIL COURTESY OF YOUTUBE

The Saudi embassy, however, took to their Twitter account and denied that her images were blurred.



On the contrary, on a trip to Indonesia with her husband in 2010, Michelle Obama wore a headscarf to a mosque in Jakarta. The first lady came under scrutiny by many in the Muslim world for not doing the same in Saudi Arabia.



PHOTO: AFP

During the four-hour trip, Obama and King Salman held talks at the King's private residence - Erga Palace.



RELATED: Obama leads heavyweight mission to key ally Saudi

COMMENTS (9)

Saad Nazim | 9 years ago | Reply

I'm quite happy to see her not covering, this woman just might incite liberating women of kingdom.

Question | 9 years ago | Reply

Why single out france....china has also banned viel in some province. This is not right. Even the eyes should be covered. Women can use google glass or simply ask men what they see and imagine it themselves.

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