Selena Gomez Instagram: 'The Heart Wants What It Wants' Singer Criticized by Muslims for Flashing Ankle, Laughing in Mosque Photo
"The Heart Wants What it Wants" singer Selena Gomez garnered immense backlash from Muslim Instagram users for a few Instagram photos she posted on Dec. 29, 2014, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The Instagram photos, which have since been deleted, were taken while Gomez and her celebrity friends, Cody Simpson, Kendall Jenner, Shay Mitchell and Gigi Hadid, were away vacationing together in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the new year, says Us Weekly.
During their trip, Gomez posted many photos of herself and her A-list friends in Abu Dhabi, including two photos of herself and her crew posing suggestively in front of the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque.
In the photos obtained by Daily Sabah, Gomez is seen wearing a black headscarf and long skirt in front of the mosque while flashing a portion of her ankle. Another photo features Gomez and her pals laughing and acting silly in front of the mosque.
Pop-Star #SelenaGomez flashing leg at Mosque criticized by #Muslim fans https://t.co/4btswbPmGU pic.twitter.com/urzslDt8nQ
— DAILY SABAH (@DailySabah) January 2, 2015
Soon after Gomez posted the images, Muslim Instagram users flocked to Gomez's page to slam her for her poses, which they deemed inappropriate.
THR said, "Both acts in a mosque – waggling a bare ankle and laughing/smiling – are considered signs of disrespect in the Muslim culture." Instagram user @myra_wolowitz wrote Gomez should feel "embarrassed" for her choice to pose inappropriately.
"Idk whats your main agenda but I believe you tried to jeopardize my religion. And its not good," @myra_wolowitz continued.
Another Instagram user, jojo_bieber_swag wrote, "So disrespectful to the mosque."
Gomez has yet to respond to the backlash. However, she has deleted the photos, and by the looks of her other Instagram photos, she continues to have a great time in Abu Dhabi.
On Jan. 2, Gomez posted a photo from her Abu Dhabi trip and described the vacation as "special."
Check out the photo below.
The luckiest girl in the world. So grateful! met the most beautiful people in this country. It's so special here. A photo posted by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Jan 1, 2015 at 5:28pm PST
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