Friday, July 4, 2014

The Abaya Is An Example Of How Modest Islamic Clothing Is Mandatory In Some Middle East 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.

The holy book of Islam, the Qeran, tells that all people should dress modestly. Women wear a hijab, which is a veil that covers the head and front of the upper body. Once a girl reaches puberty, she has to wear it outside of her family home. If male visitors are in the house, women must wear it also.

The word hijab means veil in Arabic. When it refers to separating men and women in public, it is Al-hijab, which means to separate the world from Allah or God. It is a matter of both privacy and religious conformity in the Muslim world.

In Iran, for example, the hijab is legally required outside the home. The chador is a loose cloak that covers the head and falls to the ground at the hemline. The modern garment is made of loosely woven material, most likely to be more comfortable.

A burka is an even more restrictive garment worn in some parts of Afghanistan. This covers the woman entirely, except for her eyes. A woman must wear it when outside the home.

Men in the Muslim culture are supposed to be covered from their naval to their knees. Clothing for men and women must fit loosely. Other countries are trying to forbid women from wearing the hijab in private and state schools. However, the women there want to continue to wear it as a form of religious expression.

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.

In the Gaza Strip, the government began to urge women to wear hijab during the 1970s and 1980s. Those who did not were harassed in the streets. It was not illegal to go without, but very discouraged.

In one country a woman can be beaten in the street for not being properly dressed. There are actually clothing police patrolling to make certain all women are wearing their burkas. Older women are somewhat fanatic about it.

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 burka is embellished with golden embroidery and beading from the neckline to the waist. It has gold trim at the wrist and hemline. Another has a green jade sequined top. Each Muslim country has a specific dress code and these may not be acceptable in all places.




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