European Commission President Enchanted by Alhambra.. With a Scarf as a Gift

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wore a scarf adorned with Islamic art patterns, a gift received from a tour guide in Granada, southern Spain, where EU leaders are gathering today, Friday. Von der Leyen visited the famous Alhambra Palace in Granada, built by the city's Muslim rulers in the 13th century, when she expressed her admiration for a silk scarf from tour guide Soumaya Abdellabi. The scarf featured designs inspired by the palace. All female staff working at the Alhambra wore similar scarves during the dinner event for the leaders. Soumaya, born in Germany with Moroccan origins, briefly explained the palace's history to von der Leyen and her husband. Soumaya told Reuters, "I told her that she is now also part of the history of the Alhambra, and she was very moved by that. She noticed my scarf and said it was very beautiful and asked if she could touch it." As von der Leyen was leaving the event, Soumaya called out, "I want to give you my scarf!" The European Commission President returned to Soumaya to accept the gift and take a photo with her. By this morning, all such scarves sold by a gift shop at the Alhambra were sold out.