Behind the Arab Veil
By: Meral Abu-Jaser /Arab America Contributing Writer
Undoubtedly, this is not the first time you have heard of the Arab veil or the term veil in general. However, have you ever thought about what is behind the Arab veil? It is not something one would think about every day, thereby not too many people actually know the true meaning behind wearing a veil. It is commonly misunderstood as only being religious yet that is not always the case!
Some people wear the veil for cultural aspects, some as fashion, others do it for religious purposes, while some wear it as part of their tradition. Today we will explain the meaning behind the Arab veil for many women. Whatever, it is based on culture, religion, fashion, and or tradition. Now let us dive into this controversial topic and clear all the questions you might have.
An Introduction to the Arab Veil
The veil is an article of clothing covering a portion of the head or the face of the person wearing it. As mentioned earlier, it is not exclusive to Muslim women or Islam. In fact, it has been widely practiced through European, Asian, and African societies. With different cultures, the significance of the veil has also changed time and again based on the society it was being practiced in.
In reality, the Veil was a part of countless cultures long before Islam became a religion. Today, the Arab veil has been a part of multiple identities that serve a diverse aspect for many. It was first invented as an article of clothing that adds modesty to one’s outfit. Back in 1400BC in Greece, women used to wear a veil as a symbol of wealth. It was used to represent social status. Hence, the veil was a powerful accessory for parts of Europe.
Muslims on Wearing the Arab Veil
While the veil is not an Islamic requirement, the Arab veil has been a major part of Islam identity. It became a part of Islamic culture, Islamic tradition, and Islamic fashion. Have you ever thought about how a piece of clothing becomes such an important part of someone’s identity? Well, in many regions of Europe and the Middle East, Muslims represent themselves with the veil. As described in various passages in the Quran, Muslim women wear the veil to maintain modesty as well as privacy from the opposite gender. It is a method of self-protection and to endorse an image of what modesty means and looks like.
As a matter of fact, the reason that today’s brides wear a veil is that dating back to ancient times, they used to warp the bride from head to toe to represent modesty. Thus, it was also a symbol of modesty in the western world. Now within the new era, the young woman also wears the Arab veil in different forms of fashion and sometimes to cultural events. Today, it is designed in different styles and with different patterns to fit the needs of the new generation.
The Arab Veil as a Fashion Icon
As mentioned before, veils come in different shapes, forms, and materials. There are various interesting styles of the Arab Veil, and some are most likely made for ceremonies that support the culture and tradition of the Arab world. Hence, for many other women, the veil has become the standard of feminine beauty. As one of the oldest female accouterments, the veil has come to show different angles of beauty. It centers the attention on one’s eyes. This enhances the elegance of the eye color as well as eye shape and structure. Moreover, the Arab veil has been a major accouterment of many costumes that reflect historical characters and events. For instance, Le Maître and Veiled bride are examples of such aspects.
The Arab Veil in Modern Societies
As we progress into a more diverse community, the Arab veil is still not accepted socially. Some nations see it as a threat while they tie it with certain indentations. Others would wear it to support a civic issue and to send a message across the norms of social media propaganda. Despite all the controversy that is withheld in western societies, the Arab veil is still provoked by tradition, religion, culture, and fashion. With this, we come to an end in revealing what is behind the Arab veil. Interested in learning more about Arabs and the Arab world?
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