A Beginner’s Guide to Knowing the Different Types of Muslim Veils
Veil, headscarves, and full-body coverings (like burqa) are often associated with Muslim women. These clothing articles symbolize modesty and are related to their statement of faith and observance of their religious obligations. Other than that, it also serves as protection from harm such as sexual abuse and being judged physically, and to avoid association with men that may taint their purity. Hijabs also preserve a Muslim woman’s identity; despite living in Western countries that encourage them to remove the veil, it shows their opposition.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF VEILS
The Hijab: The Most Popular
Veils used by Muslim women vary in style and even shape. Across the countries, there are varying veiling styles. Hijab is just one of them, and probably the most popularly used. It is a square-shaped scarf, designed for enveloping the head down to the neck, but exposes the face.
In Ethiopia and Somalia, they wear turban-style hijab for full hair and head coverage. The cloth used is varied in colors and traditional patterns.
The Burqa/Burkha Veil
Another is the burqa, or burkha, which is not usually donned by Muslim women. This garment covers almost everything, from the head to the face, down to the ankles, just leaving a small opening covered with a mesh screen over the eyes. This is usually donned by women in Afghanistan.
The Niqab Veil
The niqab is usually donned by Muslim women in Saudi Arabia and some parts of Pakistan. Like the burqa, it provides full coverage of the face and body but there is an opening for the eyes.
The Khimar Veil
Khimar is another type of head covering. It is long and appears like a cape that goes as far as the waist, covering the head down to the shoulders but exposes the face. For women in Egypt, the Khimar goes as far as the knees. Women in Europe and Turkey don the khimar.
The Chador Veil
Chador is the preference of Iranian Muslim women and in large Shia communities. It is a traditional garment, semicircle-shaped, covers the head, and fastened in the front beneath the neck by hand. It is often available in black or blue, however, it is also available in other colors.
The Al Amira: The Modern Veil
Al Amira is a contemporary style of khimar. It is a double veil with a tight-fitting cap and a tube-like headscarf.
The Shaya Veil
The Shayla veil is rectangular-shaped and lengthy, and it is draped over the head and inserted or secured at the shoulders. It is available in various colors, styles, and materials.
The Esarp Veil
Esarp is square-shaped and made in silk. Women from Turkey prefer this. It is also available in different styles and colors.
The Tudong: The Southeast Asian Preference
Tudong is a veil that covers the head to the neck, but not the face and is commonly used by Southeast Asian Muslim women. It has a variety in Indonesia where a curved visor is incorporated for sunlight protection.
The Bushhiyah: The Most Conservative Veil
Bushhiyah is probably the most traditional and conservative type. It is like the burkha, only it hides the face completely with no opening at all. It is made of a light, cotton gauze fabric so that the wearer can still see where she is going.
The Battoulah: The Most Unpopular Veil
Lastly, we have the battoulah, probably the most unpopular veil, which is part of the niqab family. It is like the niqab but incorporated with a mask made with thick material. It is commonly used in Islamic areas with deserts, to prevent the inhalation of dust.
The manner of dressing of Muslim women always places them in a situation wherein they are either stereotyped or misunderstood. In a Pittnews article from Courtney Linder, the manner of dressing like using head coverings or veils must be respected, and the Muslim women must be free to choose. Many countries are now banning the use of niqabs and burqa due to negative associations with the garment, but it must not be generalized. Muslim women must be given the choice to don a veil, it could be much liberating to them than not wearing a veil at all.
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