Few accessories have lived as complicated a life as the headscarf. The versatile fabric has been chosen by and impressed upon people for political, religious and practical purposes for centuries. It has been favored by revolutionaries and royalty alike. It can be either conservative or rebellious.
The veil, which is an article of clothing that covers a portion of the head or the face of the women, is not exclusive to Muslim women or to Islam, it has been widely practiced through the centuries by European, Asian, and African societies.
Beyond its utilitarian origins as a source of protection from the elements, the headscarf remains at the center of contentious debate about women’s rights, identity, power and class. In recent history, conversations about the headscarf have often centered on its use in Islam and the prejudice Muslim women have faced.
So what is Hijab? In the Quran, women AND men are encouraged to dress in a way that is modest, doesn’t attract sexual attention, and places their faith in Allah (God) first before their ego/vanity.
It’s important to understand that there are different ways of wearing hijab. While the most obvious reason for the differences is the level of how religious/conservative the wearer is, it’s important to note that the cultural environment of the wearer is often the determining factor in the styles worn.
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We will engage you if you ask us questions but make sure you’re coming from a respectful place. Questions like “Do you have hair under there?” or “Are you oppressed?” only make people uncomfortable and feel defensive and that’s not the place to start a constructive dialogue.
While some who wear hijab do so because they personally believe in expressing their religion and spirituality physically, it’s not the case for everyone. Some people wear it for cultural purposes, others because their families are more conservative and would not accept them without it.
Most Hijabis really take interest in finding ways to show their sense of fashion with the way they wear their headscarf with their outfits. They spend time trying to find cool new ways to use color-coordination and finding layer-able modest clothing that will look fun and chic and show their personal style.
We encourage you to befriend a Muslim girl or two and see for yourself that the true mystery behind the veil is that regardless of how we cover ourselves underneath it all, human beings are the same. Moroccans are people that experience love, pain, joy, and grief and at the end of the day if we can connect to a person from another culture, religion, part of the world, etc.
Moroccan woman to become the first to wear hijab at the World Cup
In 2013, Nazma Khan founded World Hijab Day - a day for both Muslim and non-Muslim women to experience wearing a headscarf. Celebrated on February 1, the initiative began in response to the bullying Khan, originally from Bangladesh, experienced growing up in the Bronx, New York.
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Historical Context of Veiling
In ancient Greek and Persian empires as well as in Mesopotamia, around 1400BC, the veil was used as a way of differentiating between respectable ladies and others. The rich and higher-class women were expected to cover themselves and those who were of lower standing in the society were forbidden to do so.
Greek women also wore veils as a sign of submission to their husband's power over them, a woman who ditched the veil was thought to be announcing her decision to withdraw from her marriage.
Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Norman women in the time period leading up to 1175, were known to wear a veil that covered their entire head, neck and a portion of their face up to the chin. This was somewhat similar in style to a wimple.
In Italy, women wore veils that covered nearly the entire face, as a symbol of piety and modesty, as late as the 1970s. A garment similar to a veil was worn by married Hindu women in the subcontinent around 1BC. They would draw their shawl over their heads in an attempt to partially hide their face.
Jewish laws consider a woman's hair to be ervah (an erotic stimulus) and enjoin its concealment, along with other body parts that it also terms as ervah. A lot of married Jewish women will cover their hair as proof of their modesty.
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Christian women also observe the veil. Especially when they're praying either at the church or at home. This practice has been around for over 2000 years. Nuns are expected to wear a veil of a specific style to distinguish them from other women.
Muslim women have worn veils since the dawn of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. These veils are worn as a symbol of piety and modesty. They are also believed to be worn to keep men from getting temptations and hence disrespecting them.
Types of Headscarves and Veils
The styles and practices of hijab vary widely across the world. Here are some common types of head coverings:
- Hijab: The most common type of head covering, a headscarf that covers the head and neck but leaves the face completely uncovered. Its style varies greatly from place to place and person to person.
- Abaya: A loose garment that comes in many shapes and styles, traditionally black but now available in differing styles and fancy cuts.
- Burqa: A garment that covers the head, body, and face, with a screen in front of the eyes. It is considered the strictest and most concealing of Muslim veils.
- Khimar: A veil that has a hole cut out in it for the face, covering the head, shoulders, and neck.
- Al-Amira: A two-part veil similar to the Khimar, consisting of a close-fitting cap and a separate headscarf.
- Chador: Native to Iran, a semi-circle of fabric that wraps around the women's body from head to toe, clutched at the front with the hands or teeth.
- Niqab: Covers the face, leaving only the eyes visible, and comes in two main styles: the full niqab and the half niqab.
- Boshiya: Similar to the niqab, covering the entire face with a sheer fabric and not giving the option of leaving the eyes uncovered.
Here is a table summarizing the different types of headscarves and veils:
| Type of Head Covering | Description | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Hijab | Headscarf | Head and neck, face uncovered |
| Abaya | Loose garment | Full body |
| Burqa | Full body covering | Head, body, and face (with a screen for the eyes) |
| Khimar | Veil with face opening | Head, shoulders, and neck |
| Al-Amira | Two-part veil | Similar to Khimar |
| Chador | Semi-circular fabric | Head to toe |
| Niqab | Face covering | Face, leaving only eyes visible |
| Boshiya | Full face covering | Entire face with sheer fabric |
The Headscarf in Fashion and Social Movements
As early as the 1910s French fashion houses were dreaming up designs that included colorful, embellished scarves on the head.
Following the Women’s Suffrage movement, women began enjoying more freedom in their lifestyles and their fashion. They donned bobbed hairdos, participated in sports and fitness, and covered their hair while riding in new convertible automobiles, according to fashion historian Sarah C. Byrd.
Fashion houses including Louis Vuitton and Jacquemus have debuted head coverings with modern takes on classic patterns. Social media has also spawned a group referred to as Hijabistas - hijab-wearing Muslim women who use their unique style to redefine what it means to be a modern Muslim woman.
Headscarves have remained a staple because of their versatility and cultural longevity. When women cover their hair, they are continuing a centuries-long tradition with a polarizing history of strife, style and sensation.
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