Michelle Obama Handshake Video: Tifatul Sembiring Twitter Defense

by NowPublic Staff | November 10, 2010 at 02:11 pm

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Indonesian Minister Minister Tifatul Sembiring Takes To Twitter Over Michelle Obama Handshake Controversy, (video)

In the age of Twitter even the most common gestures is the stuff of political fodder. Michelle Obama apparently committed a faux pas while shaking hands with Indonesian politicians during the President's and First Lady's 10 day trip through Asia.

The Michelle Obama handshake controversy as it is now being called involved Conservative Communications Minister, Tifatul Sembiring.
Apparently, Michelle Obama should now have extended her hand in greeting with Minister Tifatul Sembiring because for some Muslims it is forbidden to touch a women who is not part of your family - at least that is how the conservative Sembiring sees it.

However, while shaking hands with 1st Lady Michelle Obama, Tifatul seems enthusiastic but no so according his Twitter post.

"I tried to prevent (being touched) with my hands but Mrs. Michelle held her hands too far toward me (so) we touched," Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring told tens of thousands of followers on Twitter.

Later during their Indonesian trip the Obamas visited a the Istiqlal Mosque Mosque in Jakarta, the handshake controversy, quickly forgotten.

Mrs Obama wore a silky flowing chartreuse pantsuit and beige head-covering adorned with gold beads and a black fringe. She also wore thin lace socks, having removed her shoes to enter the mosque.