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Islamic Women
Headwear - Niqab,
Hijab, Burka, Khimar, Abayeh, Nigas
NIQAB
Iraqi women wear the niqab.
Iraqi women wear the niqab.
A head veil worn by some Muslim women that covers the face except for the eyes and, occasionally, the forehead. It's common in the Middle East but is also popular among strict Muslims in Western countries.
A simple length of fabric secured with elastic or ties, the niqab is what caught the attention of British cabinet minister Jack Straw, who sparked heated debate when he said it would be better if Muslim women did not wear them.
The niqab can also be worn with a second cover attached to an upper band around the forehead and flipped down to cover the eyes, creating a "full" niqab.
HIJAB
An American student wears the hijab.
An American student wears the hijab.
The word Hijab derives from the Arabic for "barrier" or "veil." It is the term widely used to describe the headscarf worn by Muslim women.
The hijab comes in a variety of styles and colors. The one most commonly seen on Muslim women in the West is square in shape and wraps around the head and neck, while leaving the face exposed.
The word "hijab" appears in the Qur'an several times, but is used in reference not to a dress code for Muslims, but to a curtain that divides or provides privacy.
Islamic scholarship, meanwhile, uses the term to reflect the much wider concept of modesty in dress and demeanor.
BURKA
Burqa clad women leave Afghanistan at the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan in
Torkham, Pakistan.
Burqa clad women leave Afghanistan at the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan in
Torkham, Pakistan.
Rarely seen now outside of Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India, the burka is the most concealing of all veils.
The full or "Afghan" burka typically covers a woman's entire body and face except for the area around the eyes, which is covered by a concealing, finely-woven mesh screen.
Blue is a common color for the burka, which is made out of two pieces of material sewn together and fastened at the sides and in the middle.
The cap from which the material hangs is sometimes decorated with embroidery.
Under the burka, wearers will commonly wear an abayeh -- a large black cloak with arm holes. Although Iraqi Muslim women are known to wear items such as shorts and t-shirts, or even a bikini, when it's hot.
OTHER TRADITIONAL
Traditional dress codes aren't limited to burkas and niqas and vary widely in different Muslim societies.
Iranian female police officers wearing chadors, parade during a female police graduation ceremony at the Police Academy in Tehran, Iran.
Iranian female police officers wearing chadors, parade during a female police graduation ceremony at the Police Academy in Tehran, Iran.
In Iran, a full-body black cloak called the chador is worn by women outside the sanctity of the home. It's worn often with a smaller headscarf underneath.
The khimar, meanwhile, is a long, cape-like veil that hangs down to just above the waist.
Both above styles covers the hair, neck and shoulders but leaves the face clear.
POPULAR STYLES
Some Muslim women in the West and in the Gulf States will often wear western clothes with just a headscarf.
A popular style worn by these Muslim women is the al-amira. It's a two-piece veil consisting of a close-fitting cotton or polyester cap, accompanied with a scarf.
The shayla is also popular. It's a long, rectangular scarf that's wrapped around the head and tucked or pinned in place at the shoulders.
Styles and fashions for veils and headscarves do evolve, contrary to popular belief.
'Outdoor' is made of red fleece and closes with a piece of velcro in the neck. (image: capsters.com)
'Outdoor' is made of red fleece and closes with a piece of velcro in the neck. (image:
capsters.com)
Revolutionary
Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA)
Documented
lives of Islamic women in Afghanistan please see the website
http://rawa.org
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SITE LINKS
