Muslim woman are not allowed to wear clothes that are acceptable in other cultures. Instead of the usual dresses, pants, blouses, shirts and shorts that other women wear, a Muslim woman’s wardrobe consists of sets of Hijab, Abaya, Burka or Burqa and Kaftan or Caftan. Instead of a gown or a long dress, a Muslim woman will come out dressed in a Kaftan dress.
A Hijab is Not Merely a Piece of Clothing
The word Hijab is more complex than how we think of what it is initially. The word Hijab brings with many concepts and principles that can help us understand other cultures:
• In the world of fashion, a Hijab is a piece of clothing that many Muslim women wear as a head covering. A Hijabis actually a veil, a headgear. However, for a Muslim woman, a Hijab is not just a veil. A Hijab, in the Western culture represents a way of life.
• A Hijab, for it to be understood fully, is the Arabic term for something that screens or puts a barrier to. Hence, in the Muslim culture, Hijab is a part of a religious code of ethics that defines the parameters as to how Muslim women should dress in public.
• In this context, a Hijab is not simply the veil that many Muslim women wear when they are in the presence of any man who is not part of her immediate family. In this sense, a Hijab is any form of a Muslim woman’s clothing that serves the purpose covering herself to conform to the Muslim standards of modesty. A Hijab, therefore, may include, a veil, an Abaya, a Burka or Burqa and a Kaftan or Caftan or Kaftan dress.
Wearing a Hijab is Not a Choice
Because of how fashion has evolved over the years, some people may find it difficult to understand how a society or culture can dictate and strictly impose women to wear a Hijab, an Abaya, a Burka or Burqa and a Kaftan or Caftan or Kaftan dress. For a really long time, women all over the world, have enjoyed much to the dismay of some people–so much freedom as to the type of clothing they are to wear. Sadly, with this freedom came the loss of the sense of modesty.
For many Muslim women, this is not the case. Muslim women do not have the freedom to choose the clothes they can wear–not in the same way a woman from other cultures can. The choice, for a Muslim woman, lies in whether or not she will remain to believe in her own faith. If she chooses to remain as she is, then a Hijab is considered a requirement. Then, she would have the freedom to choose what kind of Hijab to wear.
Not Confined to a Veil
Freedom can be overrated. Sometimes people think that the only way to be happy is to have absolute freedom. People who subscribe to the idea that a certain amount of freedom–enjoyed within some specific c parameters¬¬–end up to be happier.
Muslim women who choose to follow a lifestyle conformed to their Islamic faith do not have to give-up fashion altogether. They have many things to choose from: a Hijab, an Abaya, a Burka or Burqa and a Kaftan or Caftan or Kaftan dress. They also have a choice as to whether they want to be traditional or more fashionable.
Fashion has a way of seeping through societies and cultures. The world of the Hijab fashion is not different.
Cristina Herrera has a BA in Journalism. And she is an independent Journalist. Her passion in life is to write meaningful stories and help others through the research and content. She truly believes that knowledge is power. So, she wants to share her experiences through content.