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Minister admits reluctant Michelle Obama handshake - Yahoo! News
Good for her. She approached him as an equal. That is how I interpret handshakes. As much as I support multiculturalism, it's also important for dignitaries of each nation to see each other as equals. As I see it, this doesn't violate Islamic law as Michelle Obama is not a Muslim and a handshake does not lead to intimate relationships anymore than a stare does.
In footage of the official welcome, Sembiring appeared to share his countrymen's enthusiasm. He smiled broadly as he shook the president's hand and then reached with both hands to grasp Michelle Obama's. But later he said she forced their contact.
His denial was in a response to tweets from Indonesians who noted the handshake and questioned his long-standing claims that, as a good Muslim, he restricts his contact with women.
Many posts had a "gotchya" quality to them.
One female journalist — who said the minister had refused to shake her hand — gleefully noted that now he would no longer be able to wriggle out of it.
Sembiring has often tweeted controversial comments, including blaming natural disasters on a lack of morality and joking about AIDS.
Good for her. She approached him as an equal. That is how I interpret handshakes. As much as I support multiculturalism, it's also important for dignitaries of each nation to see each other as equals. As I see it, this doesn't violate Islamic law as Michelle Obama is not a Muslim and a handshake does not lead to intimate relationships anymore than a stare does.