POP star Michael Jackson was spotted shopping in a Bahrain shopping centre yesterday, hiding his face behind a veil and donning a black robe traditionally worn by women in the Persian Gulf.

Pop star Michael Jackson took a shopping trip to a Bahrain mall today, covering himself in a black abaya robe traditionally warn by Bahraini women and a veil hiding his face, along with three children – apparently his – with their faces covered with dark scarves.

Michael Jackson used the ladies restroom in a Dubai shopping mall because he couldn't read the sign on the door, according to his spokeswoman.

Michael Jackson has stirred a small controversy in the United Arab Emirates by entering the ladies room in a shopping centre.