That'll get a (chain) reaction! Madonna courts controversy once again as she shares picture of herself in chainmail niqab

By Fay Strang

PUBLISHED: 09:01 EST, 4 July 2013 | UPDATED: 09:05 EST, 4 July 2013


She is no stranger to pushing the boundaries whether it’s by stripping off on stage or posing with a gun.

And on Wednesday Madonna did it again as she shared a picture of herself on Instagram wearing a chainmail mask which appears to be a niqab – a face veil traditionally worn by Muslim women.

The 54-year-old accompanied the image, which appears to be from a shoot with Harpers Bazaar, writing: ‘The Revolution of Love is on...Inshallah’ (Arabic for God Willing).

Controversial: Madonna shared a picture of herself wearing a chainmail niqab

Controversial: Madonna shared a picture of herself wearing a chainmail niqab

Gazing into the camera the powerful image instantly raised eyebrows amongst her Twitter followers who were left struggling to imagine what sort of point she was trying to make with the image.

 

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While some believed she was using the image as a message of female empowerment, others took it as a criticism of the oppression of women in some Islamic countries.

Madonna is a well-known follower of the Kabbalah religion, however her boyfriend Brahim Zaibat is Muslim.

Showing her age: Madonna revealed her wrinkly hands when she stepped out in New York

Showing her age: Madonna revealed her wrinkly hands when she stepped out in New York

Casual: Madonna showed she doesn't always have to be over the top as she dressed causally

Casual: Madonna showed she doesn't always have to be over the top as she dressed causally

The singer also shared a close-up shot of herself with a knife between her teeth as she stared into the camera, which appears to be from the same shoot, with the caption: 'Live by the sword... For @harpersbazaarus'.

The images come shortly after the MDNA singer was spotted heading to the Kabbalah centre in New York alongside her daughter Mercy.

Dressed down in a pair of ripped jeans, with a leopard print scarf Madonna looked a far cry from the images posted on Instagram.

Scruffy: Madonna wore a pair of low key ripped jeans and a leopard print scarf as well as hat reading Vogue

Scruffy: Madonna wore a pair of low key ripped jeans and a leopard print scarf as well as hat reading Vogue

Daughter time: Madonna paid a visit to the Kabbalah Centre with daughter Mercy James

Daughter time: Madonna paid a visit to the Kabbalah Centre with daughter Mercy James

While she tried to go unnoticed with a pair of sunglasses and hat, the slogan on her hat reading Vogue was a bit of a giveaway.

And the star who does what she can to appear much younger than her years, once again gave away her real age as she raised her hands.

The backs of her hands, which she has taken to covering with fingerless gloves, showed the veins and winkles which are normal for women of her age.

Madonna made headlines again recently when she was seen toting a gun and pointing it at a man's had in an apparent portrayal of execution in a trailer for her new Secret Project.

Street style: Madonna showed off her new gold teeth caps in an Instagram snap posted on Tuesday

Street style: Madonna showed off her new gold teeth caps in an Instagram snap posted on Tuesday

Seemingly oblivious or unconcerned about the current debate raging about gun control in the US following the Sandy Hook massacre, Madonna straddles a man in what looks like a police cell and holds the gun above his head.

Another scene shows Madonna being dragged along the corridor of what looks like a prison before being hurled violently to the floor by some guards.

All that has been released so far of her ‘secret project’ with photographer Steven Klein is the shocking one-minute teaser trailer.

'Live by the sword': In another snap, Madonna is seen holding a knife between her teeth, her gold caps still visible

'Live by the sword': In another snap, Madonna is seen holding a knife between her teeth, her gold caps still visible

The mystery project has been discussed for months, with Madonna's Instagram account releasing teaser images. The posts feature the hashtag #secretproject and offer various messages about love and equality.

Photographer Klein worked on visuals for the 45-year-old singer's Re-Invention, Celebration and Sticky & Sweet tours.

Madonna has always used extreme imagery to promote her music, publishing a book called 'Sex' around the time of her Erotica album, using bondage imagery in her Justify My Love video and simulating sex onstage on her Blond Ambition tour.
 

Guns and poses: Madonna points a gun at a man's head in a disturbing new video clip for her much hyped Secret Project

Guns and poses: Madonna points a gun at a man's head in a disturbing new video clip for her much hyped Secret Project

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Isn't a niqab the same thing as a mask, they both hide the face?

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She's such a great influence on younger people isn't she!! How would you like to have her for your mother? She denies her kids of having any kind of technological equipment (Lourdes, just at 16 finally having her 1st I-Phone) but yet Madonna can go above and beyond in order to make more money. God forbid, how much money do you need to be known as successful?? Sorry I find this very pathetic!

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LOVE WORSHIP ADORE ICON!!!!!! Yvette Olrlando FL

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We can only hope it's permanent and stops her singing!

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Chainmail headgear on Madonna - best I've ever seen on her - but a sack or paper back might improve it even more.

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amazing madonna!!! haters never happy!

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QUOTED FOR TRUTH: saffy121, cardiff, United Kingdom. - "Go QUEEN MADONNA, ALL YOU HATERS KEEP HATING, JUST REMEMBER YOU WILL NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING IN YOUR SAD LIVES WITH THIS MUCH HATE INSIDE YOU. DO YOU REALISE WHAT MADONNA HAS DONE FOR PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD? LONG LIVE QUEEN MADGE"

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It's theatre....ever heard of it??

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Look at me ,look at me.get a life quick yr geting on now.

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Kyliessparklytiara, That's right...Madonna will never be in Kylie's league because Madonna still has WORLDWIDE sellout tours and ALBUMS, Whereas Bargain Binogue is nothing but a Z-lister who's work is only suitable for the Bargain bins.

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