UK Ambassador’s visit to Hamel Zawia raises controversy

UK Ambassador to Algiers Andrew Noble’s visit to Hamel Zawia (traditional Quran school) in Bousaada raised a controversy on social media. He was criticized for wearing a “humiliating” outfit.

Facebook users posted pictures of the Ambassador inside the Zawia wearing shorts and keeping his shoes on. He was accompanied by the school sheikh Mamoune Kacemi and Culture Director of the province of Msila Rabah Drif.

Facebook users described what happened as “non-respect and humiliation of the school.”

The Zawia posted pictures on Facebook, saying the Ambassador took off his shoes and his socks appeared as if they were shoes on pictures.