Dubai : Pop star Rihanna was asked to leave Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque complex for posing for "inappropriate" pictures outside one of the world's largest Muslim places of worship.
Authorities said they had taken action before the Barbadian diva entered the mosque itself, which is not off-limits to non-Muslims and has become a major tourist attraction in the United Arab Emirates capital.
The 25-year-old, who performed live in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, posted the pictures on online photo-sharing site Instagram.
She posed in a black jumpsuit in the courtyard of the mosque, wearing crimson lipstick and nail polish.
She wore a headscarf in all of the photographs but the poses could be regarded as suggestive.
In one of the pictures, she is seen lying down on her back in the courtyard of the mosque, while in another she sits on the ground with her arms crossed on her chest.
In a statement posted on its website, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre said: "The singer entered on a private visit without introducing herself and without prior coordination with the adminstration.
"She was asked to leave before entering the mosque after she posed in ways that do not match the sacred status" of the complex, the statement said.
The centre said it worked to ensure that no visitor "fails to meet the standards of decency required to enter the mosque, such as by posing for inappropriate photographs or by sitting in disrespectful positions."
The pictures sparked controversy among fans on Rihanna's Instagram account.
"She thinks she's sunbathing on a beach in Miami!" said one Arabic-language comment.
"It's the fault of those who allowed her into the mosque," said another.
But others praised her.
"Thanks for your respect to our religion... you take your time to wear the traditional dress... And the pictures are beautiful not insulting," read one comment.
"I'm Muslim... and do not find it disrespectful at all. Love you Rihanna," read anothe
Authorities said they had taken action before the Barbadian diva entered the mosque itself, which is not off-limits to non-Muslims and has become a major tourist attraction in the United Arab Emirates capital.
The 25-year-old, who performed live in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, posted the pictures on online photo-sharing site Instagram.
She wore a headscarf in all of the photographs but the poses could be regarded as suggestive.
Advertisement
In a statement posted on its website, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre said: "The singer entered on a private visit without introducing herself and without prior coordination with the adminstration.
Advertisement
The centre said it worked to ensure that no visitor "fails to meet the standards of decency required to enter the mosque, such as by posing for inappropriate photographs or by sitting in disrespectful positions."
Advertisement
"She thinks she's sunbathing on a beach in Miami!" said one Arabic-language comment.
Advertisement
But others praised her.
"Thanks for your respect to our religion... you take your time to wear the traditional dress... And the pictures are beautiful not insulting," read one comment.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
UAE Possible Candidate To Host Women's T20 World Cup 2024, Bangladesh Ask For More Time Rihanna Blings Up The Crop Over Festival 2024 In Barbados In A Fierce Gold Carnival Costume Rihanna's Cocoa-Toned Swim Set Got A Biker Chic Touch With A Matching Jacket Kolkata Rape-Murder: Fractures, 150 mg Semen, Other Claims Denied By Cops Doctors Halt OPD Services Amid Nationwide Strike Over Kolkata Rape Horror Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah To Be Prosecuted In Land Scam Case "Climate Change A Downside Risk To Indian Economy": Gita Gopinath To NDTV High-Value Cash Transactions At Hotels, Hospitals Come Under Tax Scrutiny UGC NET Exam 2024 Admit Card Out, Check Steps To Download Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.