Expert: Mohammed - 3/1/2005

Question
I am an American college student writing a paper for my Fashion History class about the hijab.  I have been able to find a great deal of information about the political and personal reasons for wearing the hijab, but I have been unable to find information about the hijab itself-- such as the type of material it is usually made of, how it is made, how many hijabs a woman will typically own, what significance the colors of the hijab hold (if any), etc.  I would be forever grateful if you could share any of your knowledge on this subject with me, or help to point me the in right direction of where I can find the answers.  Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Kelli,
Hijab material and design are differ from country to another and from place to another within one Islamic country.

I am Syrian, and in Syria women like to wear nice and colorful hijab which should be suitable with other clothes.

In another country like United Arab Emirates -where I live currently- all women wear black hijab.


The following image is showing different colors of hijabs:
http://www.dwelle.de/images/15689/art-big-15689.jpg

This type of hijab is used in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine... etc

The following image shows another type:
http://www.dwelle.de/images/17097/art-big-17097.jpg

The following image showing another style:
http://www.soroushpress.ir/banovan/44/images/56001.jpg

This image shows one announcer in Al-Jazeera Arabic news network before and after wearing hijab. -She is from Algeria-

The following image is showing another type:
http://www.irib.ir/worldservice/zanan/aks/17.jpg

It is used in Iran and Afghanistan and in south of Iraq.



Hijab can be made from silk or cotton..etc


Woman will typically own more than one hijab.... My wife owns around five.




I wish I was helpfull
Mohammed hammoud