![Marine Le Pen [AFP/File]](/sites/default/files/styles/d08_standard/public/im/France_2017/Marine_LePen.jpg?itok=5wykEF35 "Marine Le Pen [AFP/File]")
The conservative French politician, Marine Le Pen, cancelled her meeting with the Grand Mufti of Lebanon on the grounds that she refused to wear a veil in front of him—or anyone else, for that matter.
So, what are Arabs saying on social media about this so-called statement?
One Twitter user couldn’t figure out the logic behind it:
لماذا ترفض #ماري_لوبان وضع غطاء على رأسها قبل لقاءها #مفتي_لبنان ، بينما امراء #اوروبا ومسؤوليها يفعلون ذلك قبل لقاء بابا #الفاتيكان ؟ pic.twitter.com/QrFV3BlNfb
— نواف (@NMeleihi) February 21, 2017
Why is Marine Le Pen refusing to put on a head covering before meeting the Grand Mufti of Lebanon when European leaders and officials do so before meeting the Pope?
Another user seemed satisfied about Le Pen's cancellation, but for an unexpected reason:
رفض #ماري_لوبان ارتداء #الحجاب ودخول #دار_الفتوى لا يبرّئ #المفتي #دريان
— Abdullatife Daouk (@al_daouk) February 21, 2017
بل هذه إهانة له بعد أن أهان هو #المسلمين في موافقته على إستقبالها
Marine Le Pen’s refusal to wear the veil and to enter the Dar al-Fatwa does not excuse Grand Mufti Daryan --this is payback for when he insulted Muslims by agreeing to host her [in the first place].
In one tweet, someone claimed that Le Pen refusing to wear the veil was her trying to cause drama to further her own political agenda.
واضح انها جايي تثير الشغب وتفتعل معارك وهمية لأغراض سياسية انتخابية ببلدها.. هول حركات بينفعوا بأوروبا مش بلبنان#لعبي_غيرها#ماري_لوبان pic.twitter.com/IL3SSd8UsR
— Naim Berjawi (@Naimbrj) February 21, 2017
It’s clear that [Le Pen] is just coming [to Lebanon] to foment chaos and ignite delusional battles for political, ulterior motives related to elections in her country.
He goes on to state, Those tricks work in Europe, not Lebanon.
However, one person actually respected Le Pen’s choice to stay bare-headed:
لا يعوّل على رجل دين خاف من شعر امرأة ففرض عليها حجاباً بحضرته يعلم أنّها ستخلعه ما أن تدير ظهرها له
— Imane Ibrahim (@ImaneIbrahim1) February 21, 2017
لا ألوم #ماري_لوبان فالقناعات لا تُفرض
Don’t trust in a religious figure who, afraid of a woman’s hair, demands [she wear] the veil in his presence, knowing full well she will take it off as soon as she leaves.
The user adds, I don’t blame Marine Le Pen, because someone's convictions cannot be forced upon another person.”
At the very least, the controversial, Islamophobia-driven move by Le Pen generated some pretty well-rounded, thoughtful responses. Good job, Arab Twitter!
LM
