Queen Beatrix wore a red headscarf over her hat during a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, Oman on Thursday morning. In doing so, she complied with Muslim clothing conventions just as she did earlier in the week in Abu Dhabi during another visit to a mosque. Princess Máxima also wore a scarf on both occasions.

The visit to the Sultan Qaboos Mosque is one of the last official engagements during a three-day state visit to Oman. On Sunday, the matter of the Dutch Queen wearing a headscarf was reason for the Freedom Party (PVV) to ask questions in parliament. Geert Wilders’ party associates the headscarf with the oppression of Islamic women. PVV MPs say in wearing the headscarf, the queen is legitimising the oppression of women.

Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal says Queen Beatrix is simply complying with local conventions and tradition, as she would when visiting a synagogue or cathedral.

(nc/rk)

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