Jackson in Dubai. (Reuters)

Dubai, Nov. 17 (PTI): Pop icon Michael Jackson created a flutter here after entering a ladies’ room in a shopping mall to fix his make-up, scaring a woman shopper who later photographed him in the act.

Latifa M, a 37-year-old Tunisian teacher, screamed in shock and ran out of the toilet of Ibn Batuta Mall on Sunday night when she realised the person with an Egyptian ladies’ scarf draped over the head was a man, Khaleej Times reported.

She went back and photographed the pop singer with her mobile phone, while he was busy fixing his make-up. Jackson reportedly ran after the teacher to retrieve the pictures. The security staff and two women accompanying Jackson intervened and Latifa erased the photos.

However, Jackson’s publicist said the singer, who arrived in Dubai this week as the guest of a champion rally driver, entered the ladies’ toilet as he did not understand the Arabic sign.

“Mr Jackson... mistakenly entered a ladies room in Dubai, labelled in Arabic, during an outing with friends. Upon realising his mistake, he quickly exited,” his publicist said. A crowd gathered and Jackson had to wait in a bookstore till police arrived to escort him.