Background To The Debate: The Face Veil in Islam
See also: Purdah and AhkamOne of the tenets of Islam is a requirement for modesty in both men and women. This concept is known in Arabic as hijab, which refers to far more than Islam and clothing. The word "hijab" has entered English and other European languages with a somewhat different meaning, referring either to sartorial hijab, or to one article thereof, namely the headscarf worn by many Muslim women.
Muslims follow various schools of thought (madhhabs) which have differences of opinions on Islamic law (sharia). Women who wear a face-veil tend to observe the hadiths (sayings of Muhammad) instructing women to cover all that is not essential, which some interpret as everything except the eyes and hands. This belief is a minority position.Most Muslims(who believe in covering) believe women should allow their faces to be visible, but should cover the hair (and, in many cultures, the throat as well). An even smaller minority wear all-covering garments such as the burqa. Wearing the niqab is mandatory for women in Saudi Arabia at all times while in public, except during the Hajj (annual pilgrimage). These rulings (fatwa) are based on the understandings of modesty and the public display of the body (awrah).
Read more about this topic: British Debate Over Veils
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