Veil

The word veil is often used in association with the dress of Muslim women. A contested term and idea among scholars as well as Muslim and non-Muslim women and men, it is often misunderstood. According to some scholars, the term is misleading, as the strict definition of veil is a covering for the face, whereas in the Muslim context, it is used to describe what Muslim women use to cover their hair. Hijab is another word used by Muslim women and many contemporary scholars in its stead, as its meaning is more flexible.

There are a variety of terms across the Muslim world for different types of clothing worn by Muslim women. The abayah refers to the loose cloak, and the niqab refers to the veil that covers the face in many Middle Eastern countries. For this entry, the term hijab is used, along with veil (when referencing scholarship that uses this term), because the meaning is flexible, ranging from the covering of one's body (including one's hair) to modest behavior. In an attempt to provide a more complex look at the hijab, this entry looks at the different perspectives among scholars about the hijab and why some women choose to wear it, while others do not.

Scholars differ about what the Koran, the Muslim holy book, says regarding appropriate attire for Muslim women. Some feminist scholars state that the Koran does not explicitly command women to cover their hair, but rather, according to Islam, requires them to dress modestly. They also argue that these instructions were meant for the wives of Prophet Muhammad and did not apply to all Muslim women. Other scholars state that the Koran does mention the headscarf and interpret the relevant verse as evidence that wearing the hijab is mandatory. Not just scholars but also Muslim women differ in their interpretation of the Koran, which, in turn, affects their decision to wear the hijab.

Many scholars have examined veiling practices in the Middle East. Different countries have forced women to wear the hijab by threatening and imposing punishment for women who go unveiled, while in other secular countries, wearing the hijab has been banned. Countries such as Iran and Afghanistan underwent a transition from secular societies to Islamic states, and, as a consequence, everyday social interactions have been subject to religious scrutiny. Women in these countries are being forced to dress modestly and cover their hair, perpetuating the stereotype of the hijab as a symbol of oppression for Muslim women. While these countries exemplify the oppressive nature of their treatment of women, there are also instances where women have put on the hijab of their own free will.

Scholars have noted that in countries such as Egypt, Turkey, and Morocco, a re-veiling movement has occurred since the mid-1980s. Some Middle Eastern countries have undergone a secular movement, with a tendency toward becoming more Westernized and modern. To protest this trend, some Muslim women have taken up the hijab. Scholars offer several other reasons for the popularity of a re-veiling movement among these women in these countries.

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