Hijab (حجاب) is the Arabic word for "to cover", and in general, means to be modest.
The word is used in particular to mean clothing which covers a woman's chest, head and hair. This is often done in Islam for females over the age of puberty. It is not necessary when females are within their immediate family. The Arabic word used to specifically mean this is "khimār" (خمار). This "veil" can come in several different types, such as an ordinary veil (which only covers the head), and a niqab or burka, which covers the entire body. There are many styles to wear. Muslim men must also observe standards of modest dress.
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References[change | change source]
- Murphy R.F. 1964. Social distance and the veil. American Anthropologist. New Series, 66, No. 6, Part 1, pp. 1257–1274.
- Brenner S. 1996. Reconstructing self and society: Javanese Muslim women and "the veil". American Ethnologist, 23, (4) , pp. 673–697/
- Tristam, Pierre. Does the Quran require women to wear the veil? About News.