The return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan has once again targeted a female outfit that is common in the Muslim world with its different variants: the veil.
The use of the Islamic veil is part of traditions that predate Islam itself. Among the main precepts of Islamic law are strict dress guidelines. In the case of women, they are obliged to wear veils of different types: those that decorate only part of the face (hijab or shayla) ; those that cover the head and body, but leave the face uncovered (chador); and those that completely cover the face, head, hands and body (niqab and burqa).
Within Islam, two clear trends can be distinguished. One holds that women, upon entering puberty, should completely cover their body and head. Another, meanwhile, says that although it is not a mandate, it is recommended.
Most orthodox Muslim leaders and theorists assert that hijab should be a mandatory practice. Others, somewhat more liberal, maintain that the Koran does not in fact order the use of the veil, but aims to respect decency and modesty when showing the body.
1. HIJAB
The hijab is considered by many Muslims as the symbol of religion and femininity. This veil hides the hair, ears and neck of the women, but allows the face to be shown.
This word has its roots in the Arabic term hajaba, whose meaning is to hide, to hide from sight, to put distance.
The hijab is accompanied by a tunic or raincoat. Its size, color and placement depends on the customs of each community or country.
The origin of the term is in the Koran and indicates a barrier not between a man and a woman, but between two men. At the time of the Rachidi caliphs, the word drapery was imposed to mark a separation between the caliph and the space occupied by the people.
2. BURKA
Among the strictest veils are the burqa and the niqab. The first consists of a long veil that completely covers the head and body. It barely has a kind of grid to have a certain vision.
It is the traditional dress of the Pashtun tribes in Afghanistan. Even the extremist current of the Taliban decreed its use mandatory.
From this, from the Western perspective, this veil was associated with the terrorist regime of the Taliban. For this reason, certain regions have proposed to prevent its use, especially in schools and hospitals. An initiative that in each case has faced criticism from various human rights groups.
France, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium, among others, are some of the countries where a ban on the burqa was proposed.
In many Middle Eastern countries, the burqa is seenas a demonstration of faith in Islam.
3. NIQAB
The niqab, for its part, is a long tunic that completely covers the body and head. It barely reveals the woman's eyes. This is the only difference it has with the burqa .
The etymological root of this word is in the Arabic term naqaba, which means "to pierce", because it only has two holes for the eyes.
In the Muslim world, the use of this veil predominates in regions of Wahhabist influence, such as Saudi Arabia. Precisely that Islamic current of Wahhabism stands out for its rigorous application of the sharia.
4. CHADOR
The chador is another veil that covers a womanfrom head to toe, but leaves her face and hands exposed. It can be of different colors and contains a long tunic (abaya, in Arabic) to hide the shape of the body and a veil to cover the hair and neck.
It is used mostly in communities of Shia women, mainly in countries like Iran or Iraq. Even the term comes from the Persian chaddar.
5.
The amira or al-amira is composed of two pieces. One is fitted to the head in the form of a cap and the other is a veil fitted in a tubular shape. It completely covers the head and neck, without revealing the hair.
It is a practical and simple style to wear the hijab. It is known as the "Princess Scarves" style because this type of veil can be embellished with diamonds, brooches or any other type of decoration.
It can also vary in its design and colors.
6. SHAYLA
The shayla is a long, rectangular veil worn over the head and attached to the shoulders. It does not allow the woman to display her hair, but her face.
It is widely used in the countries of the Persian Gulf.
Regarding their design, they usually have different colors and can even have prints or gauze-like transparencies.
7. KHIMAR
Lastly, the khimar is shaped like a cape and extends to the feet. It covers the hair, neck and shoulders, but does allow the face to show.
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