Hijab

Hijab, within contemporary discourse, refers broadly to modest Islamic clothing and more particularly to the head-covering practice of Muslim women. Although there are a variety of styles of Islamic headscarves or veils, hijab most often refers to the style consisting of a cloth wrapped around the head and neck, covering the hair, neck, and ears but leaving the face visible. The use of the hijab has been on the rise since the 1970s and is an important expression of modesty and faith for many Muslims worldwide.

In Arabic, hijab literally means partition, curtain, or barrier. Traditionally, the word was used to denote the illusory nature of the world, where creation is “veiled” from God, or in reference to the physical partition that divided the public from the Prophet Muhammad's wives, allowing them greater privacy from Muhammad's many visitors. Thus, hijab retains the meaning of barrier in both usages, whether in the metaphysical or literal sense. The word khimar, rather than hijab, is used in the Qur'an to signify the headscarf. However, the etymology and meaning of hijab expanded in Islamic scholarship to include the concepts of modesty and morality manifested in particular styles of religious clothing, including various types of head coverings.

The importance of modesty is clear in the Qur'an, although the requirement of veiling is contested. The surha (chapter) often referenced in regard to the issue of veiling is the Surat an-Nur (Q 24:30–31), which calls on believing women to lower their gaze, guard their modesty, and draw their khimar over their bosoms in order to dissuade excessive displays of their beauty. The practice of veiling was common in the Near East and predates the revelation of this sura. It is unclear whether the Surat an-Nur should be understood as a call for obligatory observance of the hijab or whether it is referencing common social practices [Page 516]of the time to elaborate on the importance of modest social interactions.

The practice of veiling has taken on political importance in the modern era. The use of the hijab and what it represents has been highly debated. While some believe that it is a marker of cultural identity or religious adherence, a tool used to create and reinforce particular religious dispositions, or an act of religious freedom, others decry it as a patriarchal practice that discriminates against and subjugates women and as a sign of antimodern sentiments. Many countries have passed laws on the use of the hijab. For example, France, Turkey, and Tunisia have placed restrictions on the use of Islamic veiling in public, whereas head covering in public is mandatory in Iran. The public approaches to the Islamic veil can also be of political importance, especially when these interactions are in opposition to the social norm or governmental prescription. In Egypt, for example, the rise of the hijab on college campuses in the 1970s suggested discontent among Egyptian youth with respect to the overtly secular government and Western styles of dress in urban areas of the country. In contrast to Egypt, many women choosing to wear hijab in the United States argue that such a choice should be viewed along the lines of freedom of speech and religious pluralism promoted by the U.S. government. The complexity and diversity of the current hijab debate thus suggests that the practice must be understood in the particular location in which it occurs, with reference to the religious understanding it adheres to and the political and social environments that have produced the controversy.

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