vendredi 4 juillet 2014

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

By Rosella Campbell


In many countries in the Middle East it is mandatory for women to wear clothing that covers them from head to toe. It is even illegal for them to appear in public without doing so. However, in many places, it is not necessary for the modest islamic clothing to be drab and without decorations on the garment.

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 some places, Iran for example it is against the law for a woman to go out in public without wearing the hijab. The chador is a loose cape type garment that has a hemline at the floor level. These are made of thin fabric to allow for more air to circulate and keep one cool.

More restrictive garments are worn by women in some cultures. The Taliban are required to wear a burka in public. This garment covers all of a women except for the eyes.

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.

There are different ages for girls to start wearing hijab in different countries. The general rule is at puberty. But, an exact age is not stated.

In the 1970s and 1980s, women in Gaza were being urged to start wearing hijab. This is the full covering. Women were coerced into accepting this restrictive dress code. As the government tried to force the change, women who did not conform were harassed.

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.

Currently, there is no need for the abaya to be drab and unadorned. There are many that are quite fashionable. But, they still cover the arms to the wrists, are floor length and the head is still covered.

One abaya is trimmed in gold with a gold sequined bodice and lace around the hem. This is obviously for special occasions. Another is made of white lace and lined in black with full sleeves.

A fashionable burka might have golden beading on the front and another might be sewn of contrasting fabric. A fancier abaya has a full ruffle around the hemline and full sleeves. There is a beautiful one with green sequins on the bodice, obviously intended for a special occasion. Each Islamic country has its own dress code for women.




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