The Latvian Foreign Ministry received a note of protest from the United Arab Emirates for "an inadmissible situation", after the Latvian customs had ignored Islamic traditions at Riga International Airport in regard to UAE's new ambassador to Latvia Hanan Khalfan Obaid Ali Al Madhani, Delfi reports.

Neatkarīgā rīta avīze reports, at the checkpoint the UAE Ambassador was required to take off her hijab. The Arab diplomat requested to accompany her to a place far from the eyes of strangers. She agreed to take off her headscarf in the presence of a woman only. However, the airport personnel did not give her a chance.

The airport personnel explained, that their security checks passengers in accordance with the EU aviation safety standards and rules, which are not allowed to comment. The UAE ambassador was given a similar explanation at the airport. According to her, the security officials "apparently do not understand the fragility of diplomacy."