During her visit to Syria's Damascus, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock did not receive a handshake from de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa. 

"Even when I arrived, it was clear to me that there would obviously be no ordinary handshakes here."

During her visit to Syria's Damascus, German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock did not receive a handshake from de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa: "Even when I arrived, it was clear to me that there would obviously be no ordinary handshakes here." pic.twitter.com/42a2lRL5AY

— DW News (@dwnews) January 4, 2025

According to Islamic jurisprudence the permissibility of men and women shaking hands is a topic of debate among scholars, and views can vary based on interpretation, cultural practices and the context itself. However, the most widely accepted opinion among conservative scholars is that men and women who are not related by mahram (a close family relationship like parent, sibling, or spouse) should not shake hands.

The reasoning behind this stance is that physical contact between non-mahram men and women is generally discouraged “in order to prevent potential temptation and maintain modesty, as outlined in various Islamic teachings, including the Quran and Hadith,” according to Egypt's Dar al-Ifta, an Egyptian Islamic advisory, justiciary and governmental body established as a centre for Islam and Islamic, associated with al-Azhar.

In Islamic terminology, a non-mahram refers to a person of the opposite gender with whom marriage is permissible under Islamic law. This relationship implies that specific rules of modesty and interaction apply between non-mahrams.

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“For example, in the Quran, Allah advises both men and women to lower their gazes and guard their modesty [Quran 24:30-31],” according to Dar al-Ifta.

Although opinions vary, the dominant view in many Muslim communities leans towards avoiding physical contact between non-mahram individuals.

While opinions vary, the general Islamic guidance advises against shaking hands between non-mahram men and women, primarily for modesty reasons.

Commenting on the incident, Baerbock said, "As I traveled here, it was clear to me that there would obviously be no ordinary handshakes," she told broadcasters Friday evening, according to German media outlets.

Controversy among social media users

This triggered some controversy on social media platforms.

However, Toni Salhi wrote on X that many “conservative Muslim women don't shake hands with men. It can go both ways. This greeting [without handshake] was all in line with previously agreed upon protocol.”

Also, many conservative Muslim women don't shake hands with men. It can go both ways.
This greeting (without handshake) was all in line with previously agreed upon protocol.
On the other hand, was Baerbock dressed too informally for a diplomat / FM?

— Tonnie M (@T_Salhi) January 4, 2025

Wael Eskandar wrote on X, “It's nice how obsessed Germans are about such small things but in Berlin, as police beat the shit out of people on the streets without reason and without accountability, they don't find it scandalous or worth debating with the public.”

It's nice how obsessed Germans are about such small things but in Berlin as police beat the shit out of people on the streets without reason and without accountability, they don't find it scandalous or worth debating with the public.

— Wael Eskandar (@weskandar.bsky.social) (@weskandar) January 5, 2025

Jan Pejsa wrote “No handshake with a woman?! Beerbock and the whole EU was humiliated! They should leave immediately.”

No handshake with woman?! Beerbock and whole EU was humiliated! They should leave immediately.

— Jan Pejša (@pejsa_jan) January 4, 2025