When Gauck reached the Muslim girl, who was wearing a hijab, he reached his hand out to her – and she responded by placing her hand on her heart and bowing.
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Why wouldn’t she shake hands?
For many people the handshake is pretty commonplace. You do it when you say hello and when you say goodbye, your handshake might be judged and, similarly, you may judge someone based on their handshake.
But for many Muslims, especially those who are more religiously conservative, shaking hands isn’t that straightforward.
There are a few different reasons why Muslims – both men and women – may not shake hands with someone.
Mainly, some followers believe that women should never come into physical contact with ‘non-mehrams’ – men who are not related to them by marriage or blood.
So it’s a gender thing?
Usually, but not necessarily.
For example, some traditional Shias and even some Sunni followers believe they’re not supposed to come into contact with any non-Muslims, male or female.
Is it just Muslims who believe this?
No, Orthodox Judaism teaches something similar – that it is ‘Shomer Negiah’ to physically touch a non-relative of the opposite sex.
What do people do instead of shaking hands?
In such situations, women will often respond to an extended hand by smiling, placing their hand on their heart and bowing in humility instead – which is what this German teenager did.
It’s just another way of showing respect to the person you’re meeting, without having to come into physical contact with them.