Fashion also plays a role of self-expression whereas traditional clothes are more likely to expresses one's faiths.
For this week's edition, I'd like to explore another cultural beauty: Islamic fashion. When I think of an Islamic fashion, I immediately picture Thawb and Hijab.
Hijab is the headscarf commonly worn by Muslim women to cover their heads and necks; the word Hijab in Arabic literary means "covering up." In countries like Saudi Arabia, women wear Abayah which covers the body from shoulders to feet. In other countries like Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, women would wear a mixture of either Hijab, Abayah or casual jeans, shorts, and skirts.
In a similar vein, some Muslim men can be seen in western clothes or their traditional dress called Thawb. Thawb is common especially in Persian Gulf states like Oman, Qatar and Kuwait.
The term Thawb is also implied to long, over-sized woman's garment; its front is embroidered. Typically made of cotton, wool is sometimes used in Thawb for colder seasons.
The term Thawb is also implied to long, over-sized woman's garment; its front is embroidered. Typically made of cotton, wool is sometimes used in Thawb for colder seasons.
Hijab as well as Abayah represent a beauty and a modesty of Islam. It is a symbol of faiths. There has been an unfavored perception in the western world failing to understand the meaning of them.
Putting on coverings like Hijab is a sign of honor and equality with men. By concealing the body, it provides a security from unwanted eyes by men.
Moreover, it is another way of paying a respect to their faiths according to the holly book of Islam, Quran.
However, there is an ongoing debate about Hijab among Muslim women, too. They argue that it is a matter of choice whether or not they dress in Hijab.
Putting on coverings like Hijab is a sign of honor and equality with men. By concealing the body, it provides a security from unwanted eyes by men.
Moreover, it is another way of paying a respect to their faiths according to the holly book of Islam, Quran.
However, there is an ongoing debate about Hijab among Muslim women, too. They argue that it is a matter of choice whether or not they dress in Hijab.
Those Muslim women who I met were from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. They mix an Islamic style and a western style together. I find it as a beautiful combination of two cultures. Some are wearing fashionable Hijabs that come in different colors like pink, blue, and purple. Interestingly, Hijab appears to be well on casual clothes.
The way they wrap Hijab seems like an art. Steps to wrap Hijab are as follow:
Step 1: Place the scarf over the head with leaving one side of it longer than the other side.
Step 2: Fold up the scarf behind the neck, and pin the two edges together.
Step 3: Bring the longer side of the scarf to the chin. Then keep wrapping it around to the opposite side.
Step 4: Make an adjustment so that both sides of the scarf will fall equally.
Step 5: Lastly, pin the top of the scarf until the part of the neck.
Above is just one of many styles of wearing a Hijab. For more, there is a number of tutorial videos on Youtube, so enjoy learning a significance of Islamic culture!
There certainly has been a controversy surrounding Islamic dresses. But before all else, if you encounter an opportunity to look at them physically, may you find their cultural legacy just like your own.
There certainly has been a controversy surrounding Islamic dresses. But before all else, if you encounter an opportunity to look at them physically, may you find their cultural legacy just like your own.
Why Muslim women wear the veil
From Muslimah Media Watch
Coverage of "Fashionable" Muslim women cramps our style
Abaya Fashion Show in Dubai
From Muslimah Media Watch
Coverage of "Fashionable" Muslim women cramps our style
Hijab
Thawb
No comments:
Post a Comment