Deepika Padukone Criticised For Wearing A ‘Hijab’ In Recent Abu Dhabi Ad. Can We Relax?
Deepika Padukone has recently joined her husband, actor Ranveer Singh, as the regional brand ambassador for Experience Abu Dhabi.
Another day, another social media scandal, and it looks like Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has become a favourite of the trolls. Just moments after the actress did a commercial for Experience Abu Dhabi under the Department of Culture and Tourism- Abu Dhabi, the internet accused and trolled her of wearing a hijab, commonly worn by Muslim women. Many also claimed it to promoting ‘another religion’ for money. Read to know more about what happened here.
Deepika Padukone Trolled
These social media users are incorrectly referring to the garment as a ‘hijab’, despite their misguided outrage about promoting another religion for profit. It’s actually an abaya. While both robes are commonly worn by Muslim women, they are not the same. Deepika Padukone has recently joined her husband, actor Ranveer Singh, as the regional brand ambassador for Experience Abu Dhabi. One user commented, “Another day, another social media scandal, and it looks like Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has become a favourite of the trolls.”
The Abu Dhabi tourism officials made an announcement and issued an advertisement in which Deepika Padukone is shown wearing a red garment that covers her entire body except her face and hands. The now-viral commercial doesn’t show her feet. This is where the hijab differs from the abaya. A hijab is essentially a headscarf worn by Muslim women to cover their hair, neck, and occasionally even shoulders. It does not cover the entire body. Hijabs can be designed in a variety of styles, colours, and fabrics.
When entering the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, all women, whether Muslim or not, must wear an abaya. The mosque’s official website states that visitors must follow a dress code that represents UAE norms and traditions to preserve the sanctity of this treasured place of worship and religious rites.
First Published: October 08, 2025 5:07 PM
