Burka

The burka (also transliterated as burqa or burkha) is a particular form of Islamic clothing worn by some Muslim women, usually consisting of a long piece of fabric attached to a cap or draped over the head and loosely cascading down to cover the entire body, allowing only for slits or a screened portion of the fabric for the eyes. This form of dress may also be made up of multiple fabrics, such as one covering the head (hijab), a veil for the face, and a loose coat covering the rest of the body. The burka is usually worn outdoors over regular clothing and is meant to completely conceal the [Page 167]body in public. It is usually made of blue or black material. The word is a derivative of the Arabic verb meaning “to sew” or “patch.”

The burka is the most widespread form of modest dress worn by Muslim women and can be found in regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, although it is not limited to these countries. There are a variety of reasons why Muslim women choose to wear the burka. Modest dress, or hijab, is an important aspect of Islam and is proscribed within the Qur'an for both men and women, although it is unclear what modest clothing should entail. Women who choose to wear the burka believe that it is a marker of piety and modesty. Some argue that the burka has allowed women a greater degree of mobility within overtly patriarchal societies, allowing them to enter into the public sphere for work, education, and social engagement without the fear of punishment or social stigma. Some argue that the burka removes the stress women often face regarding their appearance and keeps unwanted sexual advances at bay. Some enjoy the privacy and anonymity the burka provides. These are only some of the reasons given for Muslim women's preference to wear this type of modest clothing.

The burka is also one of the most controversial and least prevalent forms of modest dress among the varieties of Islamic veiling. It is often associated with the Taliban, who mandated this form of dress in public when they took control of Afghanistan in 1996, and thus, it has received much criticism from those opposed to the Taliban regime and the group's treatment of women. The use of the burka has been restricted or banned in some countries based on its controversial status as a symbol of oppressive patriarchal rule, for fear of security breaches, and in light of Western feminist positions.