Expert: Mohammed - 3/21/2006

Question
Im working on a term paper for my Modern Middle East class about how women feel about wearing the hijab.  I have heard in the news that a few countries are allowing women to wear other cloths.  Many women are wearing them anyway.  I was wondering why?  If they have the choice not to, why would they?  Religious reasons?  Political reasons?  How do they feel about this?  Would they like the freedom to choose?

 Thank you so much for your help!

    Heather

Answer
Hi,

In Islam religion, woman has to cover her body including her hair. Only the face, the hands, and feet are allowed not to be covered.
However, other females, husband, sons, father, uncles, sons in law, and brothers are allowed to see a woman's hair.


Hijab is a piece of cloth that is used to cover woman's hair.
The word "Hijab" which is an Arabic word means: "covering" or "hiding".


Nowadays, there are different kinds of Hijabs. Each Islamic country has its own kind of Hijab, and sometimes in the same country there are different kinds…

For example:
In the following image, there are some girls from Syria; some of them are wearing Hijab which is colored and modern:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/arabic/spl/image_maps/04/12/1102017950/img/image.gif

The same style is used in Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt.

In Arabic gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Hijab is always black:
http://dubaiphotomedia.com/Media/Raja12.jpg

Some women cover their face –which is not required by Islam-:
http://www.dubaiexcellence.com/images/wedad2002.jpg


Most of women are satisfied to wear Hijab, also most of them are free to stop to wear it.
Some times, parents will not allow their daughter not to wear Hijab. You may find that thing not fair or very strict... But let me ask you this question:

If your teenager sister wants to cut her hair totally or to go out without clothes… will you accept that? Or you will not allow her to do that?

Same situation is applicable in Islamic families when a girl don't want to wear Hijab.. Parents will not allow her to do that, because she will look strange in her society, and because that is against her religion.


I wish I could give you a clear idea…

Regards
Mohammed Hammoud