Niqāb

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Main article: Hijab

A woman wearing a niqāb in Yemen

A niqāb (Arabic نِقاب) is a veil which covers the face, worn by some Muslim women as a part of sartorial hijāb. It is popular in the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf but it can also be found in North Africa, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

[edit] Nomenclature

Women who wear the niqāb are often called niqābī; this word is used both as a noun and as an adjective. However, some prefer the participial form munaqqaba (plural munaqqabāt) as "niqābī" may be used in a derogatory manner (much as with "hijabi" versus muhajaba)

[edit] Niqāb in Islam

The niqāb is regarded differently by the various maðāhab (schools of Islamic jurisprudence). Some see it as fard (obligatory) while others see it as mustahab (recommended).

[edit] Forms

There are innumerable styles of niqāb and other facial veils worn by Muslim women around the world. There are two very common forms which are found all over the world:

The "half niqāb" is a simple length of fabric with elastic or ties and is worn around the head. This typically leaves the eyes, and occasionally the forehead, visible.
The "full" or "gulf-style niqāb" is a total face cover. It consists of an upper band that is tied around the forehead, together with a long wide piece which covers the face, leaving an opening for the eyes. Many also have a second or more sheer cover that is attached to the upper band, and is worn flipped down to cover the eyes.

Other less common and more cultural or national forms of niqāb are as follows:

The Afghani style burqa, a long pleated gown that goes from the head to the feet with a small crocheted grill over the face. Contrary to popular belief, the burqa is limited solely to Afghanistan and certain areas of Pakistan, although there are modified forms in Kashmir and amongst Afghani refugees; the vast majority of munaqabāt do not wear this item.
The Pak Chador, a unique innovation from Pakistan, which consists of a triangle scarf with two additional pieces. A thin band on one edge is tied behind the head so as to keep the chador on, and then another larger rectangular piece is attached to one end of the triangle and is worn over the face.
The simple hijāb wrapped, pinned or tied in a certain way so as to cover the wearer's face.

Other common styles of clothing popularly worn with a niqāb in Western countries include:

The khimar, a semi-circular flair of fabric with an opening for the face, usually bust-level or longer, and worn with the niqāb. It is considered a fairly easy form of headscarf to wear, as there are no pins or fasteners; it is simply pulled over the head.
Gloves. Many munaqabāt feel that gloves are a necessity when wearing niqāb, so no part of the skin is visible.

Most munaqabāt also wear an overgarment (jilbab, abaya etc.) over their clothing.

[edit] Politics

Turkish women wearing niqāb in the streets of Adana.

The niqāb has had a significant role for women in the West Bank during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many Palestinian women, especially students, have worn white niqābs during protests of Israel's actions.[2][3] These women often wear green banners with Arabic messages in them. Female candidates from the Hamas party in the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections campaigned in niqābīs, even in photographs. [4]

Sultaana Freeman gained national attention in 2003 when she sued the state of Florida for the right to wear a niqāb for her driver's license photo.[5]. However, a Florida appellate court ruled that there was no violation in the state requiring her to show her face to a camera in a private room with only a female employee to take the picture, in exchange for the privilege of driving.

In 2005, a non-Muslim student at Eastern Michigan University spent a semester wearing a niqāb for a class project (although she incorrectly called it a burqa). Her experiences, such as feeling like no one wanted to be near her, showed that conservative Muslim dress is disapproved of in the United States.[6]

The niqāb is outlawed in the Muslim countries of Tunisia and Turkey, although in Turkey this ban is not enforced very strictly.

[edit] Europe

Main article: Islamic dress controversy in Europe

Although the burqa is a more emphatic symbol, the niqāb has also been prominent in political controversies on Islamic dress in Europe. The Netherlands government plans a legal ban on face-covering Islamic clothing, popularly described as the 'burqa ban', which includes the niqāb. ^[1]

In the United Kingdom, comments by Jack Straw, MP started a national debate over the wearing of the "veil" (niqāb), in October 2006. This was further inflamed by extensive media coverage of the case of a teaching assistant in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, who lost her appeal against suspension from her job for wearing the niqāb while teaching English to young children whose first language is different. It was decided that being unable to see her face prevented the children from learning effectively. While others argue she was helping the children understand different people's beliefs. ^[2]