Selena Gomez caused fury online after posting this image on her Instagram account, showing her flashing her ankle while visiting Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Pop
starlet Selena Gomez has been heavily criticised after posting pictures
of herself flashing her ankle inside Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque on her
Instragram account.
A
second picture, showing Gomez and fellow musicians Kendall Jenner, Gigi
Hadid, Cody Simpson and Shay Mitchell smiling and striking poses has
also been lambasted.
Mosque
visiting rules strictly ban all 'intimate behaviour' including holding
hands and kissing, and states that all skirts must be ankle-length.
This image showing Selena alongside Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Cody Simpson and Shay Mitchell also drew fury from Instagram users, who branded it 'disrespectful'
Commenting on the picture, Alaa Almitwally said: 'Disrecpectful! It's a religion place not a place to have fun in, so disappointed.'
Meanwhile another user, Ayisha Elturk, said: 'If their intent was to learn about Islam they wouldn't be posing like they were standing outside and amusement park.
In 2013 Rihanna was asked to leave the mosque after posing for a series of pictures, with staff saying it was out of keeping with the 'sanctity' of the holy site
The controversial Bermudian performer also posted the images to her Instagram account after paying a visit to the site in Abu Dhabi
The Grand Mosque has caused problems for celebrities in the past, with controversial star Rihanna thrown out after posing for pictures inside the compound.
Staff ejected the Bermudian singer after complaining she did not have permission to carry out a photoshoot while dressed head-to-toe in a black jumpsuit.
Justifying their decision, workers at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque said Rihanna's actions had not been in keeping with the 'sanctity' of the site.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the most revered Islamic sites in the United Arab Emirates