Islamic clothing: Difference between revisions

There is no one monolithic Muslim religious dress, but some markers of religious status are common.

Both men and women put on special pilgrim's robes when they go on hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. These robes are two simple pieces of white cloth; they are donned just before entering Mecca. All, rich and poor, wear the same humble garments.

Male sayyids (also spelled sayed, sayid, or said), descendents of the Prophet Muhammed through his daughter Fatima and son-in-law Ali, often wear black turbans. However, the Taliban of Afghanistan also wear black turbans.

Male Sufis commonly wore a simple robe of white wool, hence their name (supposedly derived from the Arabic suf or ''wool''). Present day Sufis do not necessarily follow this tradition.

One Sufi order in present-day Turkey, the Mevlevi, wear white dresses with voluminous skirts. During their prayer services, they twirl (called Sufi whirling) so that the skirts stand out. Hence they are also known as Whirling Dervishes.

Muslim women are supposed to dress modestly. For many Muslims, this means that women must be completely covered with veils or cloaks when outside their home.

Afghanistan's burka is the most extreme example of this belief: not even a woman's eyes are visible. Typically, a burka is composed of many yards of light material, pleated around a cap that fits over the top of the head. There is an embroidered openwork grille where the burka passes over the eyes. Under the Taliban, the burka was obligatory. Under the current government, or lack of one, it may not be safe to leave the house without one.

The Saudi Arabian version of modest dress is composed of abaya or loose robe, hijab or headcovering, and niqab or face veil. The Saudi niqab usually leaves a long open slot for the eyes; the slot is held together by a string or narrow strip of cloth. Roaming religious police enforce female modesty. Abaya and hijab are required; the niqab is optional.

The current Iranian government forces women to wear loose-fitting black coats or cloaks in public, as well as a head scarf that covers the hair.

In many Muslim countries, women are expected only to cover the body (long-sleeved dresses or blouses, long dresses or pants) and to wear a scarf over their hair. Muslim women living in predominantly non-Muslim countries have a wider range of choices.

All these dress codes simply proclaim "modest Muslim woman" -- they do not intimate any special religious role, as there is no formal role for women in Muslim religious establishments.