Covered-up Rihanna strikes a pose, sparks ire in Abu Dhabi

By CNN Staff

October 21, 2013 -- Updated 1504 GMT (2304 HKT)

Rihanna was asked to leave after "posing inappropriately" in the courtyard of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

While in town for a concert, the singer visited the courtyard of a mosque
She was asked to leave before she entered the actual mosque
In a statement, the mosque says her poses were inappropriate

(CNN) -- Pop princess Rihanna sells albums for her sultry, attention-grabbing poses. But during a visit to the United Arab Emirates, her poses got her into hot water.

While in town for a concert, the singer visited the courtyard of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center. The landmark mosque said it asked her to leave after she posed for photos inappropriately on its grounds.

A covered-up Rihanna was decked out in a dark outfit, complete with what looked like the head gear worn by Muslim women. She posed in bright red lipstick and posted the pictures on her Instagramaccount.

Source: HLN

In one photo, she's lying on her back. She captioned it "no tan lines."

In another shot, her arms are akimbo as she glances over her shoulder.

"She was asked to leave before entering the actual mosque, (she was in the courtyard taking pictures) after taking some photos that did not fit within the rules and regulations set out to preserve the sacredness of the center," the mosque said in a statement.

The singer did not immediately respond to the controversy about her photos. She was in town for a concert Saturday night.