Paris Hilton's fifth handbag and accessories shop in Saudi Arabia has been accused of affronting the principals of Islam, and earned her a backlash of Twitter abuse in the process.
The American socialite and hotel heiress who's Twitter is awash with optimistic, life-affirming titbits such as - "Smile, because you're beautiful... Stand strong, because haters can't bring you down" and "I love black and white photographs. They are always so timeless" - has sparked controversy in the Middle East. From the very same account.
Posting a picture of her new accessories store in Saudia Arabia's holy city of Mecca - don't worry, we weren't fully aware of this best-selling handbag line either - Paris caused a backlash of abuse from an insulted Islamic community, with some claiming it as an "affront" to the "principal sanctuary" of the religion.
Her bubbly Tweet - "Loving my beautiful new store that just opened at Mecca Mall in Saudi Arabia!" - was met with disgruntled comments such as: "Saudi claim there are other ways to allow for pilgrims, and if religiosity is of such importance, why is Paris Hilton being allowed a store in Mecca?" The first comment was merely the understated, yet powerful "R u kidding?", according to the New York Daily News .
Undeterred by "The world is a corrupt place at the moment. Someone please send me to Mars" comments, the 31-year-old quietly reminded the Twitter sphere that this is her fifth store in Saudi Arabia alone, and number 42 in total.