Deborah Chan
In 2010, there were rumors that Barack Obama had stopped wearing his wedding ring and watch during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Obama is not a Muslim, and there is no prohibition in Islam against wearing jewelry during Ramadan. The rumor was debunked when photographs from that period showed him wearing both his wedding ring and watch. Obama has been spotted without his wedding ring on other occasions, and it is believed that he keeps his left hand naked to keep his ring safe. Obama has been seen discreetly slipping his ring into his pocket as he approached a crowd, indicating that he wants to keep it close. Michelle Obama has also been spotted wearing her engagement and wedding rings.
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What You'll Learn
Barack Obama's wedding ring is a gold band
Obama's wedding ring has also been the subject of controversy due to claims that it is adorned with Arabic script spelling out the first part of the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith: "There is no god except Allah". This fuelled long-standing rumours that Obama is a Muslim, despite him identifying as a Christian. However, close-up photographs of the ring suggest that it bears a plain loop-like pattern with no discernible meaning in Arabic.
Obama has been photographed slipping off his wedding ring and placing it in his pocket when approaching crowds, suggesting that he wants to keep it safe and close to him. The former President and his wife, Michelle Obama, have been married since 1992 and continue to celebrate their wedding anniversaries. Michelle has also been spotted wearing her engagement and wedding rings, flaunting them amid divorce rumours.
Obama's wedding ring is a symbol of his commitment to his wife, Michelle. While he may not wear it at all times, he appears to take good care of it and keeps it close by, even when he is greeting crowds. The gold band is a simple yet meaningful reminder of their enduring marriage, which has withstood the pressures of political life and the public eye.
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Obama reportedly removes his ring when shaking hands with people
Barack Obama has been spotted without his wedding ring on several occasions, sparking various speculations about the reasons behind it. One widely circulated claim was that Obama removed his ring and watch during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, seemingly confirming long-standing rumours that he is a practising Muslim. However, this claim was later debunked, as Obama was photographed wearing his ring and watch during Ramadan in August 2011. The White House also clarified that the ring had been sent for repair during that period.
Another reason for Obama's occasional absence of a wedding ring may be his desire to keep his most precious valuables safe. A video surfaced of Obama discreetly slipping off his ring and placing it in his pocket as he approached a small crowd to shake hands. This suggests that he wants to keep his ring close and secure rather than risk losing or damaging it.
Obama's wedding ring has also been the subject of controversy due to claims about its design. In 2012, an article drew attention by claiming that Obama's ring, which he has worn since college, is adorned with Arabic script spelling out the first part of the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith: "There is no god except Allah". However, this claim was refuted by Arabic speakers who examined a high-resolution photograph of the ring and found no discernible meaning in the pattern.
Amid divorce rumours, Michelle Obama has been seen flaunting her engagement and wedding rings during public appearances. The former First Lady of the United States has been spotted in Los Angeles, notably without her husband, proudly displaying her diamond rings and stylish outfits. Despite the speculation, Michelle has neither confirmed nor denied the rumours, instead focusing on embracing her independence.
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There were claims that Obama's ring had Arabic script
There were claims that former US President Barack Obama's wedding ring bore the inscription "There is no God but Allah" in Arabic. This allegation gained traction on social media and blogs in October 2012, with some asserting that the ring confirmed Obama's faith as Muslim, rather than Christian.
The claim was based on photographs of Obama's ring, which he has worn since his college days and obtained from Indonesia, where he lived for a few years as a child. The images were said to show Arabic script spelling out the first part of the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith. However, the validity of these images has been questioned. Higher-resolution photographs of the ring suggest that it features a plain loop-like pattern rather than Arabic script. Six individuals fluent in written Arabic confirmed that the pattern on the ring had no discernible meaning in Arabic.
Additionally, it is important to note that there is no rule prohibiting Muslims from wearing jewellery during Ramadan, contrary to what was suggested in the claim. Furthermore, Obama has publicly stated his Christian faith on numerous occasions, and if he were indeed a Muslim, declaring himself a Christian would violate Islamic law, which could be punishable by death.
Despite the lack of clear evidence and the refutations presented, the claim regarding the Arabic inscription on Obama's ring continues to circulate, contributing to the ongoing speculation about his religious beliefs.
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Michelle Obama's wedding ring is a diamond
In 2021, Michelle Obama was seen with a diamond wedding ring that appeared to be an upgrade from her original ring. The new ring was fully encrusted with diamonds, with a large square stone in the centre. She was first photographed wearing the new accessory in late 2017, and it was speculated that it was a 25th-anniversary gift from her husband. The couple celebrated 25 years of marriage in October 2017.
Michelle Obama was also spotted wearing her wedding and engagement rings in Los Angeles in 2025. She was seen with her brother, Craig Robinson, at the Academy headquarters in North Hollywood. Her wedding ring was the centre of attention in the pictures, with many interpreting it as her way of shutting down divorce rumours.
Barack Obama, on the other hand, has been the subject of speculation regarding his wedding ring. In 2010, he was spotted without his wedding band for a few days in mid-September, which was during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. However, the White House stated that the ring had been sent out for repair. There have also been claims that his ring includes Arabic script spelling out the first part of the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, fuelling rumours that he is a Muslim. However, these claims have been debunked, as the pattern on the ring appears to be abstract with no discernible meaning in Arabic.
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Obama's watch was spotted in photos during Ramadan in 2011
In August 2011, the claim that former US President Barack Obama was not wearing his watch or wedding ring during Ramadan was circulated. This was debunked as photographs from that period, specifically during his vacation with his family, clearly show Obama wearing both his wedding ring and his watch.
The claim that Obama was not wearing his ring and watch during Ramadan first emerged in 2010. The White House responded to the media reports, saying that the ring was being repaired. ABC News reported on 10 September 2010 that White House aides refused to specify what was wrong with the ring. While it is true that Obama was briefly seen without his wedding ring, he was still wearing a watch on his left wrist.
The rumour resurfaced in 2011 during Ramadan, which began on 1 August and ended on 29 August. Obama was photographed wearing both his ring and watch during his vacation with his family in Martha's Vineyard. This can be seen in a CBS Boston spread of photos taken on 19 August 2011.
It is important to note that Islam does not have a general prohibition against wearing jewellery during Ramadan. Imam Joe Bradford of the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida in Jacksonville confirmed that jewellery is not banned during Ramadan.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Barack Obama does wear a wedding ring, which he has had since his college days. However, there have been instances where he has been spotted without it.
Barack Obama has been spotted without his wedding ring on a few occasions. One theory is that he takes it off when he is meeting people to keep it safe, as it is his most precious valuable. Another theory is that he stopped wearing it during Ramadan, but this has been debunked.
Barack Obama's wedding ring is a gold band. There were claims that the ring was adorned with Arabic script spelling out the first part of the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith. However, this has been refuted by Arabic speakers and seems to be a baseless claim.
Michelle Obama has been spotted wearing her engagement and wedding rings.
