Letter to the editor

Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Rihanna Photo Shoot: Muslims React To Abu Dhabi Incident

Dana Farah

5 October 2014

Dear editor,

Having seen your article in the Huff Post, I read a variety of opinions given by a wide range of people. As an arab muslim myself, I one hundred percent understand the controversy surrounding this topic. Many people saw the photo shoot as a harmless act, they fully supported Rihanna's actions and even tried justifying them by saying she was fully clothed and was wearing a loose fitting garment, hence saying that she was “technically” following the law and regulations. The fact of the matter is, they still did not fully appreciate the offence in her actions. Rihanna displayed no respect towards our culture or religion. She took things that we held sacred, and she trampled all over them, regardless of the consequences. Although everyone from all over the world is welcomed regardless of their religion, “every individual still have to behave in a manner that is religiously respectful” as you wrote in your article. Personally I saw her actions as disappointing and extremely inappropriate not only to myself but also to my nation, as our father his royal highness Sheikh Zayed 's( may peace be upon him) graveyard remains there, not only that, a mosque holds a special place in everyones heart as it is a place that holds respect and value and is not a place for someone to hold their own photo shoot for vanity, personal gain and press coverage. Let me ask you a question, would you to the same to someone else'e place of worship? I am pretty sure your answer would be no, so why is it okay for Rihanna to do so...