Has Madonna gone too far with chainmail Muslim mask?

Madonna poses in a chainmail niqab for a photoshoot with US Harper's Bazaar.

The Queen of Pop is at it again. Madonna loves touting a gun or wearing fishnets and spandex at an age when most of us prefer to cover up.

But her latest outfit is more controversial still. She has been pictured wearing a chainmail mask resembling a niqab - a face veil worn by Muslim women.

The star posted a photo from her forthcoming photoshoot with Harper's Bazaar magazine on Instagram and Facebook, accompanied by the words: "The Revolution of Love is on…Inshallah [Arabic for 'God willing']."

It is unclear what message Madonna, who is well known for her humanitarian work with women in developing countries and as an exponent of the Kabbalah religion, meant to send via her new look.

Some fans have interpreted the chainmail mask as a message of empowerment to women, but one Instagram user said: "You thing this message is empowering to women?...If this was a woman who really wanted to empower other females she could do this in many other ways…When did gagging women make them feel good?"

Other fans have suggested that Madonna's chainmail mask is a direct criticism of the oppression suffered by women in some Islamic countries.

Bill Paul Buttuls wrote on Facebook: "Are you saying the burqa is 'trapping' women?" while Ccim Le Bon commented: "Burqa covers even the eyes…and this is the NIQAB…the message is not clear…what do you mean queen?"

While the majority of fans posted positive comments about the outfit, and the odd joke about the Queen of Pop raiding Lady Gaga's wardrobe, others found the photograph "disappointing" and " reductive

Comments

On July 10 1985, The Playboy magazine issue of nude Madonna photos was released !!

Playboy publishes nude photos of Madonna taken before she was famous. The singer did a number of nude photo shoots from 1977-1980, starting when she was an 18-year-old student at the University of Michigan looking for some extra cash and trying to form a band. Now a huge star, Playboy publishes some of the shots taken in 1979 and 1980 in a revealing spread. A year earlier, the magazine turned down nude photos of Miss America winner Vanessa Williams , which their rival Penthouse published. "We think Vanessa genuinely didn't know what she was doing, didn't know her photos might be published," the article states. "Madonna, on the other hand, posed repeatedly for two noted photographers who routinely publish what they shoot." One of the photographers, Lee Friedlander, says of the shoot: "She seemed very confident, a street-wise girl." Madonna has little to say on the matter, but doesn't shy away. "I'm not ashamed,...

Madonna's ex Carlos Leon marries designer Betina Holte...and daughter Lourdes attends the wedding

Her father Carlos Leon split from her mother Madonna in 1996, shortly after she was born. But Lourdes Leon clearly bears no ill will towards the 47-year-old personal trainer. The 16-year-old was seen attending Carlos' wedding to Zac Posen designer Betina Holte recently in Denmark. I do: Madonna's ex Carlos Leon recently wed designer Betina Holte in Gillelje, Denmark, and his daughter Lourdes attended the ceremony Daddy's girl: Lourdes Leon looked pretty in a black floral frock as she left the church The high school student wore a pretty navy blue floral dress and wedge heels, covering her head with a scarf. She was seen giggling with a friend outside the picturesque church in the Denmark town of Gillelje. Carlos, meanwhile, grinned widely as he posed with his beautiful blonde wife inside the church. Handsome couple: Betina looked gorgeous in her slim-fitting gown, while Carlos looked typically striking in a grey suit She's g...

September 24 1992, Madonna baring her breasts and blowing kisses, At The Jean-Paul Gaultier fashion show.

September 24 1992, Madonna baring her breasts and blowing kisses, Billy Idol in double leather... we explore the fashion show that raised $700,000 for AIDS research Jean Paul Gaultier is renowned for many things – his exceptional tailoring, his conical bras, his impassioned approach to sociopolitcal causes in fashion – and, on September 2, 1992, all of these elements united for a show that definitely mattered. In honour of amFAR (The American Foundation for AIDS Research), Gaultier held a fashion benefit whose runway included everything from lip-synching to Dr Ruth dressed in rubber to raise money for a cause that devastated (and continues to devastate) communities around the world. "Tonight will be about protection... wear rubber and protect yourself!" – Jean Paul Gaultier "Tonight will be about protection... wear rubber and protect yourself!" explained Gaultier before the show. "I think fashion can make people thin...

Madonna Extreme

Search This Blog