Rihanna was asked to leave a mosque in the United Arab Emirates over the weekend because of an impromptu fashion shoot.
The pop star, 23, was asked to leave the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi after pictures of her posed around the monument appeared on her Instagram account on Saturday, reports the National.
In the photos shot around the monument, the “Umbrella” singer is clad more conservatively than normal -including wearing a hijab – though she still sported bright red lipstick and eye-catching gold jewelry.
Despite her wardrobe concessions, staff still took issue with the photos, claiming they were “inconsistent with the sanctity of this religious place.”
“In the event of behavior that violates the moral codes of access to the mosque, or other visit regulations – such as taking inappropriate pictures, posing in ways that are improper in the context of sacred place, talking loudly, or eating – the violators are directed in a polite manner that reflects the civilizational and tolerant attributes of Islam,” a statement issued by the mosque read.
The statement, which did not mention the singer by name, also mentioned that this is something made clear to all visitors.
“While the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre always welcomes visitors and tourists from all around the world, it also calls on everyone to adhere to the moral codes of access to the mosque and to its visit regulations, which the Centre always makes sure are clear to all its visitors throughout the day.”
Rihanna was in the United Arab Emirates for a leg of her Diamonds World Tour.