Modest Islamic Clothing Is Mandatory In Some Cultures

By Rosella Campbell


Women living in the Middle East commonly wear clothing that is modest. In some of the more restrictive countries, women are legally required to be fully-covered by an abaya in public. But, in some of the Islamic countries, modest islamic clothing is pretty and trimmed in bright colors.

The Holy Quran is the Islamic religious book. It tells followers to dress in a modest way. The hijab that women wear is a veil, which goes over the head and covers the chest. If visitors are men, it must also be worn inside 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.

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.

There is a a place where women are beaten if they are not properly covered. There are patrols watching the streets for anyone not wearing the burka. There is a religious fervor driving these strict clothing requirements.

Not all countries expect the modern abaya to be without ornamentation. Some are trimmed in embroidery and beads, which are quite beautiful. All do cover the woman to the wrist and to the floor. The hijab is covering the head as well.

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.

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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