Dutch Queen Beatrix Sparks Controversy Over Headscarf

Geo Quiz

Dutch Queen Beatrix Sparks Controversy Over Headscarf

By The World ⋅ January 12, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment

An Omani delegation excorts Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands during a visit to Muscat. (Photo: Mohammed Mahjoub/AFP/Getty Images)

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For the Geo Quiz we are looking for one of the cities in the Arab world where Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands paid a visit and got into trouble because of what she was wearing.

The 73-year-old Dutch queen visited a number of Arab cities this week along with this city, which is the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Oman.

Much of the city dates from the kingdom’s medieval hey day when it was the center of a trading empire that spread across the Indian Ocean.

Queen Beatrix is a stylish dresser, but one of her accessories that she chose today for her visit to the city’s grand mosque sparked a controversy back home.

Muscat, the capital of Oman is the answer to the Geo Quiz. This is where Queen Beatrix wore a headscarf on her visit there sparking a political controversy in the Netherlands.

Anchor Marco Werman talks to Klaas den Tek, a political editor with Radio Netherlands.

Dutch Queen Beatrix calls headscarf row 'nonsense'

Discussion

5 comments for “Dutch Queen Beatrix Sparks Controversy Over Headscarf”

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1480572354 Jill Oswalt Goodwin

For Pete’s sake, can’t we find something better to quibble about? Poor Queen Beatrix wasn’t trying to make a fashion statement, only attempting to honor her hosts. Seems to me that was the diplomatic thing to do!
Anonymous

Exactly! When in Rome… (Or Oman). I believe the idea of etiquette is to model behavior that makes one and those around him/her comfortable and at ease. There appears to be a mix of attire among the people in the photo, and the Queen’s ensemble appears appropriate for the circumstances. She appears comfortable, as do those around her.
Good grief. It seems like Grace Kelley wore similar head scarves… royalty has a long established history of putting decorative things on their heads. Crown, Tiara, Scarf, Hat… lighten up.
Hamza Ali

i congratulate her for her show of respect.
http://www.cherubicwindigo.webs.com Laura

Also, the headscarf and hat combo is practical for a sunny environment. I think it must be a very small, narrow group of Dutch people who are bothered by the scarf, most people are more reasonable and would have no problem accepting her wearing the scarf.
Anonymous

Marco Werman’s characterization of Geert Wilders
as “anti-Muslim” is inaccurate. Wilders is not anti-Muslim. He’s opposed to
Islamic fundamentalism, above all to its barbaric doctrines such as Sharia
Law. That includes the use of Islam by particular Muslims to try to put
themselves above the law of nations they’ve chosen to immigrate to, and
as a means of coercing special conditions for themselves as residents
of those nations.

Calling Wilders “anti-Muslim” is simply misreporting and/or bowing to political correctness.

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