Somalilandsun: There are many personal, religious, and societal factors that influence women either to wear a veil or not. Muslim religious rulings are not entirely clear on the question of veiling as derived from Islamic texts. Various sections of the Quran (the Muslim holy text) and the Hadith (the statements associated with the Prophet Muhammad) make reference to veiling being worn by the prophet’s wives. Many scholars argue that this is directly implying that the perfect Muslim woman must veil herself as well, but others say these statements apply only to the prophet’s wives, instead of all Muslim women.
Through their spheres of influence across the MENA region, French and British colonizers encouraged Muslim women to take off their veils in order to imitate European women. As a result, in many North African and Middle Eastern countries, the veil became a symbol of national identity and freedom in contrast to the occupation of foreign powers. This movement became significant during independence and nationalist movements that lead to the modern states we know today.
But now It often seems when the West characterizes fashion of the Islamic world, they use very narrow descriptions. The broad terms “headscarf” or “hijab” seems to be the way Western audiences categorize these fashion styles. There are actually many different styles and ways that women wear them. Whether it’s the way they pin their scarves in place, the amount of coverage a hijab provides, or the colours and fabrics they choose, Islamic head coverings differ greatly from culture to culture. This article will be a complete guide about the history of veils, what kinds there are, where each type is specifically worn, what they signify, and the trends and styling behind them.
“Modest fashion” is the broader category which is a loosely defined style derived from the clothing worn by Muslim women. It’s a style with no strict rules beyond the obvious “be moderate in how much skin you show,” but there is no uniform consensus across the Muslim world about what this looks like.
In most countries across the Islamic world, fashion differs from individual to individual, depending on their own personal interpretation of religion. Predominant styles within this category include layering, loose silhouettes, higher necklines, and outfits that don’t accentuate the shape of the body. Continue reading Muslim Veil and Hijab Types a Complete Guide
