Muslims are highly religious. Representatives of Islamic culture strictly adhere to the norms and rules of religion. These rules include the obligatory wearing by women of hats covering their hair. One of the traditional elements of the Arabic wardrobe is niqab. What is it and why are Muslim women wearing it?
Cultural features of Muslim women
It is easy enough to recognize Muslim women by their appearance. The culture of Islam obliges them to wear special covering clothes and observe certain standards of behavior. Muslim women from a young age are taught to demonstrate worthy manners. In their society, coquetry and frivolity is unacceptable. Muslim women must maintain chastity and protect moral values.
Arab women are forced to hide their faces from men, so as not to provoke them to sin. Only a legitimate husband can see his wife without a scarf. Even in the family circle, a woman must hide her face, afraid to break the sacred rule.
The high responsibility before God and his fellow believers is the main argument why Muslim women wear traditional capes and headdresses. The most popular clothing in the Arab world is hijab and niqab. These items of women's wardrobe have an ancient history and are an obligatory everyday dress in many Islamic countries.
Niqab - what is it?
Niqab is a traditional female headdress that almost completely covers the face. Niqab differs from other Muslim wraps by the presence of narrow slits for the eyes. This is a fairly ancient hat. It is widely distributed in many Arab countries.
Niqab is optional clothing. It is mainly worn in families that live according to ancient conservative traditions.
Even the smallest children in Muslim countries know that niqab is what it is. Muslims believe that the prophet Muhammad forbade women to cover their hands and face during a pilgrimage. That is why most people are of the opinion that Muslim women only need to cover their bodies. And the face and hands are allowed to be left open. Unlike hijab, niqab can be worn at will, although in the modern Muslim world this headdress has not lost its relevance.
Among Muslims, there are families that respect ancient traditions. In such married couples, women are required to wear niqab. What is it, children learn at an early age. Girls from almost the first years of life are accustomed to the culture of putting it on.
In addition to the traditional purpose, niqab has practical use. In sunny countries, this headpiece protects a woman's face from the scorching sun, sand, dust and wind.
Niqab is mainly worn in Yemen, Pakistan and the Gulf countries.
How to sew niqab
The classic Muslim niqab consists of a dense headband that is tied behind with special ribbons. Two rectangular scarves are sewn to it. One is fixed to the bandage from below and around the edges so that there is a small cut for the eyes. The second scarf is sewn on the back. It should completely cover the hair of a woman.
The headband is usually sewn of dense fabric. For covering parts of the product, lighter, but rather dense materials are used.
Sometimes a third scarf made of transparent fabric can be sewn onto the bandage. This niqaba element serves as a veil covering the eyes.
Niqab has a large length and sufficient width. The headgear completely covers the neck and hair, without restricting the movement of the woman. Dark monophonic shawl with slots - this is how the niqab looks, the photo of which is posted below.
According to Muslim canons, niqab cannot be decorated. Ringing and shiny jewelry are especially prohibited.
What are niqabs
Niqab is usually sewn from black fabric. Quite often, Muslim women also wear niqabs of a dark brown or dark blue color. As for design decisions, all niqabs are performed in a restrained style. This is what a classic niqab should look like. The photo in the article illustrates what kind of headgear this woman has.
Very rarely, Muslim women wear niqabs decorated with patterns. At the same time, embroidery is performed at the edges of scarves and should not be too bright.
Muslims use simple fabrics that do not shine to sew niqaba. In theory, a hat should only cover your face and in no case should attract too much attention.
How do non-Muslims relate to niqab
Muslims in the world have developed a certain attitude. Many people consider them representatives of terrorist groups and the threat to their lives. Therefore, girls who wear niqab risk attracting unwanted attention. To protect themselves, Muslim women abroad wear only a hijab.
It is believed that wearing niqab threatens the lives of Muslim women themselves living abroad. For this reason, women who cover their faces are not allowed to walk alone.
What is niqab worn with
Muslims combine this headdress with other traditional clothes. In conservative families, women wear niqab with abaya. She is a long dress without a belt and with sleeves. Abaya covers the whole body, leaving only his hands open. Also, niqab is often worn with a veil - a long cape that covers the entire body from head to toe. The chadra does not fasten in any way. So that the cloak does not fall, the woman must constantly hold it with her hands. To close her face, a woman can use the edges of the veil or wear a hat. Niqab, Chadra - A common clothing among the inhabitants of Iran.
Modern women have the opportunity to dress fashionably, while maintaining a closed appearance. Today, the choice of casual and festive Muslim clothing is diverse. The burqa, abaya are sewn of multi-colored fabrics and even embroidered with gold. Wraps are made of expensive flowing fabrics and harmoniously look with black niqabs.
Muslim Clothing Colors
Muslim women mostly wear dark shades. The most common color of the burqa is black. The same trend is observed in the wearing of scarves and head wraps. The dominance of dark colors in women's clothing is explained by the concepts of Arab values. So, Muslims believe that the main thing in the family is a man. Arabs have a strong sex similar to the Sun and has a bright start. Therefore, Muslim men wear white clothing. Women are like the moon and are always in shadow. They should not look bright.
Today, in some countries you can find Muslim women dressed in traditional clothes of light colors. They also adhere to religion and respect the norms of their people.
To date, a clear answer about the color of Muslim clothing does not exist. The niqab, hijab, burqa for Muslims of different countries may differ. The color of these clothes depends on the traditions and the area in which women live.
Niqab and the burqa: what is the difference?
Burqa, niqab - clothes that cover your face as much as possible. In other Muslim clothes for a woman, her face remains open so that she can breathe and eat freely.
Nikab and the burqa are outwardly similar. In these outfits, only the eyes remain open. The differences between these types of clothes are:
- Different lengths of products. Niqab should cover his head, shoulders and hair. The burqa is the length of the floor. She covers the whole body from head to toe.
- Unlike niqaba, the veil has a mesh insert in place of the cut for the eyes. A special net allows a woman to see, but her face remains closed from people.
- The burqa is considered the most closed Muslim clothing for women.
Many European countries prohibit the wearing of burqa and niqaba. These clothes are regarded by many as a symbol of slavery. If after the wedding a man makes a woman cover her face, he is considered a criminal.