Thursday, 10 July 2014

Modest Islamic Clothing Is Mandatory In Some Cultures

By Rosella Campbell


In the Middle East it is common to see women wearing clothing that is unfamiliar to the Western world. In some countries it is illegal for women to appear in public without putting on certain garments. But, there is no reason why, in some countries, modest islamic clothing must be course and unattractive.

It is the Islamic holy book, the Qeran, that directs both men and women to dress in a modest way. For women, the hijab is a veil that covers the head and chest. Each Muslim woman beyond the age of puberty must wear this outside of the home. It is also worn if non-family members who are male, are visiting in the home.

Hijab is an Arabic word meaning veil. Al-hijab means separating the world from God, or Allah. Privacy and religious conformity are important in the Muslim world.

Some countries, Iran is one example, make it a law to wear the hijab outside the home. Another garment, the chador, is a cloak that covers the hair with a hemline that goes to the floor. In modern times, it is made of fine material to avoid the heat.

Even more heavy garments are worn in some countries. Among the Taliban, women must wear a burka. It is a full-length cloak that covers the face as well. The only part of the woman that is visible, is the eyes.

There are rules for the men as well. They are required to be covered from the waist to the knees. Both genders must wear clothing that is loose. In one place the hijab is discouraged in private and state schools. Still, there are women who insist on wearing them as a sign of their religion.

Young girls do not wear the hijab until they reach puberty, in many of these cultures. The exact age is not mentioned. However, puberty is generally the acceptable standard.

The women in the Gaza Strip were encouraged to begin wearing hijab, the full covering in the 1970s and 1980s. They were coerced, although not legally forbidden to appear in public without this garment. In the course of this change, women who did not wear it were harassed.

There is one country where a woman can be beaten for not wearing a burka. Older women act as clothing police moving up and down streets to check other women. A certain fanatic streak seems to be in effect.

There seems to be no requirement for the modern abaya or even the burka to be drab and ugly. Some are quite lovely. All cover the arms to the wrist, are floor length and include the hijab worn on the head.

An abaya trimmed in rich gold colored sequins and lace around the wrists and hemline may be worn for a special event. A lace one is lined in emerald green or black to show through the lace. Full sleeves are trimmed in lace on another.

One black burqa is shown with gold embroidery from neckline to below the bust and gold trim at the wrist. Another, an abaya, has a green sequined bodice that is somewhat fitted. The various countries and cultures all have their own rules for the dress code for women.




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