Simply put, it is much ado about nothing, which makes it a lot about something else.
With all the global media attention focused on the fact that Michelle Obama did not wear a traditional Muslim head scarf to the funeral of Saudi King earlier this week, the simple fact remained that, while Saudi law requires the women of their nation to keep their heads covered, it exempts foreign women from doing so.
And, even if she had worn a head scarf many of the Saudi officials who shook the President’s hand would still not have shaken her hand.
But the ridiculous amount of attention given to it by the global media does make a greater point about something else. Otherwise intelligent journalists, media commentators, bloggers, politicos and the generally opinionated citizenry yet again willfully ignored the facts of recent events, otherwise known by that word too often despised – “history.”
It is not just American women who hold official positions who have not worn head scarves in Saudi Arabia, like Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in order to have their status and rank recognized in nations where women are not traditionally treated equally.
It is also First Ladies, who hold symbolic positions, who never have.
Most First Ladies have followed recommended State Department protocol in wearing head coverings in other situations involving foreign countries where religion dictates government regulation.
Others have chosen to do so simply as a sign of traditional respect for a culture when meeting different religious leaders of, or visiting religious places in foreign countries – even when it was not expected.
Ironically, the one First Lady always perceived as being especially culturally sensitive and world-wise may have been the only one not to do so – but then again, it was at one of the most famous mosques that happens to be a popular tourist spot where a head scarf is not required.
And one First Lady still perceived as being traditional, who also happened to be the first to make an official visit to Saudi Arabia with her husband during his presidency, may well have set the pattern of her successors who also visited that country – by going around that nationĀ not wearing a headscarf.
This week’s focus was on an American First Lady in a nation dictated by Muslim law, Saudi Arabia, but the same pattern of adhering to the custom of women covering their head has been followed by presidential spouses when they’ve had audiences with the leader of the world’s largest Christian faith, that of the Roman Catholic. All except one First Lady has belonged to a Protestant faith, yet all covered their heads when they called on the Pope in Vatican City.
Categories: First Ladies
Tags: Betty Ford, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Nancy Reagan, Pat Nixon, Rosalynn Carter
Carl, if only everyone had your insight on these situations how wonderful our country would be. I don’t recall our great nation ever being as polarized as it is now. I venture to say it has more to do with partisan politics than any particular person(s). As always, thanks for sharing!!
Very nice of you to say, thank you Bill. I might elaborate on your thought and say I believe the reason behind the more sharply divisive position politics is that it’s extremely profitable for all those who don’t actually toil over legislation and policy but attack those who do. Since civilization began, more property or money is often the root cause of conflict.
I recently ran across this passage from Snow, a novel by Nobel Prize-winning Turkish author Orhan Pamuk:
“We’re poor and insignificant . . . . “Our wretched lives have no place in human history. One day all of us living . . . . will be dead and gone. No one will remember us; no one will care what happened to us. We’ll spend the rest of our days arguing about what sort of scarf women should wrap around their heads, and no one will care in the slightest because we’re eaten up by our own petty, idiotic quarrels.”
David – that is a remarkable and true quote. The Grand Distractions. (That’s why I do like Dogs so much – they just get on with what matters.) If I use that quote someday, somewhere I will reference Orhan Pamuk – and credit you as “agent.” Thank you.
The item passage by Orhan Pamuk was quoted in a recent Stratfor article, “Mind the Gap”, by Dr. Jay Ogilvy: http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/mind-gap#axzz3QL8l4Z4s. All credit is his.