Saudis outraged over Theresa May's refusal to wear head scarf during state visit

Many Saudis are outraged over British Prime Minister Theresa May’s refusal to wear a head scarf during an official state visit to the ultra-conservative Kingdom. The incident evoked memories of another incident back in February in which French Right Wing Presidential candidate Marine Le Pen also refused to wear a head scarf during a visit to Lebanon. One Saudi Cleric, Mahmood al Qatif in an interview with John Taylor from the London-based The Times opined:

“This is just another case of those immoral Western women like Ms. May who have absolutely no respect for our culture and customs. Personally I think that women like Ms. May and that other disrespectful Western woman from France Marine Le Pen should be permanently refused entry into Islamic countries for refusing to adapt to our traditions. Can you imagine what would happen if Ms. Le Pen wins the upcoming French Presidential Elections?”

He continued:

“That would be two powerful Western women we will have to deal with who will continually want to impose their own countries’ cultures upon us.”

It was then that Mr. Taylor asked the Cleric:

“Can you please explain to me Mr. al Qatif; why is it that when European women refuse to wear headscarves it’s considered immoral and disrespectful, but it was quite okay and obviously acceptable when former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former U.S. First Ladies Laura Bush and Michelle Obama did the same thing? Do you and by extension all Saudi Clerics have an inherent bias toward European women?"

Mr. al Qatif, obviously embarrassed, promptly responded: “No comment,” and, shaking his head, quickly walked off.