Traditional Islamic Garments for Women

Modesty is the ideal of Islamic dress.

Muslims adhere to the guidance of the holy Quran and Hadith regarding acceptable and forbidden dress code. The dress of a Muslim woman is modest. Traditional Islamic garments for woman cover their bodies and hair completely. Traditional clothing is loose, not transparent or flashy.

Hijab

The hijab, is a scarf worn to cover the head entirely.

The hijab, is a Muslim woman's head covering or scarf. It is a piece of fabric that is folded and wrapped around the head to cover the hair. Fabric, colors and styles vary depending on the woman's taste and what part of the world she is from.

Abaya and Jilbab

The abaya and jilbab are worn in public to cover the entire body.

The abaya is a cloak worn in public over the clothes. It is popular in the Arab Gulf region. The jilbab, is very similar to the abaya, as it is worn over clothes, but it is more form fitting. A jilbab can be compared to a trench coat but can vary in color, fabric and style.

Niqab or Face Veil

Some Muslim women wear the niqab to cover their faces.

A niqab is a face veil that is worn by some Muslim woman. Some niqabs cover the eyes completely. Islamic scholars debate on whether a woman's face should be covered or not. A burqua, which is common in Afghanistan, covers a woman's face and body completely. The woman's eyes are covered by a mesh screen.

References

• Women's Traditional Dress
• Women in Islam: Hijab
• The Islamic Dress Code