VIDEO: Muslim girl politely declines to shake hand with German president

BERLIN: Footage of a young Muslim girl politely declining a handshake from the German president is now going viral on the internet.

Joachim Gauck was visiting Theodor Heuss School in Offenbach at the end of last month in order to praise the community for integrating refugees and migrants so well.

He shook hands with pupils who had lined up to greet him, some of them holding signs in languages including German and Arabic.

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.

Since the exchange was caught on camera, people on the social media came up with mixed reactions. However, her gesture had an indication she wasn’t being rude or snubbing the dignitary.