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A 'niqāb' () 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.
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'').^[1] Because of the wide variety of hijab worn in the Muslim world, it can be difficult to definitively distinguish between one type of veil and another. The terms niqab and burqa are often used interchangeably.

Contents

Niqāb in Islam

Rationale

Styles

Politics

Europe

Canada

Quebec

See also

References

External links

Niqāb in Islam

Rationale

The niqāb is regarded differently by the various schools of Islamic jurisprudence known as madhāhab. Some see it as obligatory, or ''fard'' , while others see it as recommended, or ''mustahab'', and a few see it as forbidden, or ''Haraam''.^[2] The majority of scholars believe hijab is required, but only a few see niqāb as required, although this is not the common perception among the general population.^[3][4] However, some Muslims believe that those who wear the niqab will be rewarded, even if it is not required.
The practice of women veiling their faces existed in many cultures before Islam, and may have become part of Islamic culture as a means of Muslims fitting in.
The rationale of the niqāb comes from the Qur'an and Hadith. It was known that the wives of Mohammed covered their faces whenever around men they did not know, and proponents of the niqāb claim that this means it is a requirement for all women.^[5] The Qu'ran says "Oh Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women so as not to be annoyed."^[6] The Qur'an makes a few statements about women covering themselves, however the Hadith clearly advocates the niqab.^[7][8] The reasons for the niqab are to keep Muslim women from worrying about their appearances and to conceal their beauty.^[9] Muslim girls are advised to wear the niqab starting at puberty.

Styles

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 first is the "half ''niqāb''" is a simple length of fabric with elastic or ties and is worn around the face. This typically leaves the eyes and part of the forehead visible. The other is the "full" or "gulf-style ''niqāb''" which 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 two or more sheer layers attached to the upper band, which can be worn flipped down to cover the eyes or left over the top of the head. Contrary to common belief, these eyeveils do not generally restrict vision any more than a dark pair of sunglasses would. Although a person looking at a woman wearing a niqab with an eyeveil would not be able to see her eyes, she is able to see out through the thin fabric.
Other less common and more cultural or national forms of niqāb include the Afghani style burqa, a long pleated gown that goes from the head to the feet with a small crocheted grill over the face.. The ''Pak Chador'', a relatively new style from Pakistan, which consists of a large triangular 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, and 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 flare of fabric with an opening for the face and a small triangular underscarf. A khimar is usually bust-level or longer, and can also be worn without 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 are also sometimes worn with the niqab, because many ''munaqabāt'' believe no part of the skin should be visible other than the area immediately around the eyes or because they do not want to be put in a position where they would touch the hand of an unrelated man (for instance, when accepting change from a cashier).
Most ''munaqabāt'' also wear an overgarment (jilbab, abaya etc.) over their clothing, though some munaqabat in Western countries wear a long, loose tunic and skirt instead of a one-piece overgarment.

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.^[10][11]
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 niqābs, even in photographs.
^[12]
Sultaana Freeman gained national attention in 2003 when she sued the U.S. state of Florida for the right to wear a niqāb for her driver's license photo.
^[13] 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 (she referred to the face veil as a 'burqa,' a term which can be used to describe both the full, "gulf-style" niqab she wore and the Afghani style head-to-toe garment). Her experiences, such as feeling like no one wanted to be near her, led her to conclude that conservative Muslim dress is disapproved of in the United States. ^[14]
The niqāb is outlawed in the Muslim countries of Tunisia and Turkey, although in Turkey this ban is not enforced very strictly.

Europe

Main articles: 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. ^[15]
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 Aishah Azmi, 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. Others argued she was helping the children understand different people's beliefs. ^[16]
An increasing number of British female Muslims have begun wearing the niqab for political reasons since September 11, 2001 and British government policies in Iraq.

Canada

Elections Canada, an independent agency responsible for elections and referendums, stated that Muslim women can cover their faces while voting. The decision was criticized by Conservatives, Liberals and the Bloc Quebecois. The New Democrats did not oppose this decision.^[17]

Quebec

The niqāb became an issue in the 2007 election in Quebec after it became public knowledge that women wearing the niqāb were allowed to vote under the same rules as electors who did not present photo ID, namely, by sworn oath in the presence of a third party who could vouch for their identity. The chief electoral officer received an overwhelming number of complaints that this policy was too accommodating of cultural minorities (a major theme in the election), and had to be accompanied by bodyguards due to death threats. All three major political parties were against the policy, with the Parti Québécois and Action démocratique du Québec vying for position as most opposed. The policy was soon changed to require all voters to show their face, even if they did not carry photo ID. However, Quebec residents who wear the niqāb stated that they had no issue with showing their faces for official purposes, such as voting.^[18] Salam Elmenyawi of the Muslim Council of Montreal estimated that only 10 to 15 Muslim voters in all of the province wear the niqāb, and that since their veils have become controversial, most would probably not vote due to threats and concern for their safety.^[19]

See also

★ Islamic dress controversy in Europe

★ Burqa

★ Hijab

★ Chador

★ External Hijab

References

1. How to Hijab: Face Veils Modern Muslima and Saraji Umm Zaid Retrieved 16 April 2007.
2. Yes to Hijab, No to Niqaab. The sinister and the smiling faces of Islam by Michael Young. Islamfortoday.com. Retrieved 13 April 2007.
3. Niqāb - Introduction BBC - Religion and Ethics. 16 October 2003. Retrieved 14 April 2007.
4. Matter of Choice BBC - Religion and Ethics. 16 October 2003. Retrieved 14 April 2007.
5. The Case for Niqab BBC - Religion and Ethics. 16 October 2003. Retrieved 14 April 2007.
6. [Why Women Should Wear the Veil http://www.jamiat.org.za/w_veil.html] Jamiatul Ulama (KwaZulu-Natal) - Conciil of Muslim Theologians. 2 August 2001. Retrieved 14 April 2007.
7. Niqab According to Quran and Sunnah Muttaqun Online. Retrieved 14 April 2007.
8. Niqab in Light of the Quran and Hadith Ibn Farooq. Retrieved 14 April 2007.
9. Why Women Should Wear the Veil Jamiatul Ulama (KwaZulu-Natal) - Conciil of Muslim Theologians. 2 August 2001. Retrieved 14 April 2007.
10. Palestinians Debate Women's Future Under Hamas By Brenda Gazzar. Women's eNews23 April 2006. Retrieved 13 April 2007.
11. Islamist women redraw Palestinian debate on rights by Thanassis Cambanis. Boston Globe. Retrieved 13 April 2007.
12. The eyes have it: Muslim women win role in Palestinian body politic by Ed O'Loughlin. The Age. 24 January 2006. Retrieved 13 April 2007.
13. Judge: Woman can't cover face on driver's license 10 June 2003. Cnn.com Retrieved 13 April 2007.
14. No one wanted to be near me: Student wears burqa throughout winter semester by Kurt Hunt. 18 April 2005. Retrieved 13 April 2007.
15. Dutch Muslims condemn burqa ban BBC News. Retrieved 13 April 2007.
16. 'No discrimination' in veil row BBC News. 19 October 2006
17. LeBlanc, Daniel. Elections Canada blasted for allowing Muslim women to vote with faces covered. Globe and Mail.
18. Muslim women will have to lift veils to vote in Quebec election
19. Veiled threats

External links

★ Niqab Page

★ The Islamic Garden - Niqab: The Face Veil

★ Niqab and Niqaabis

★ BBC - Religion and Ethics - Beliefs: Niqab British Broadcasting Corporation 13 April 2007.

★ Niqaab in the light of Qu'ran

★ The Veil and the British Male Elite

★ Niqab (Affixed Veil)

★ The Obligation of Veiling

★ Niqab is Not Obligatory

★ The Last Straw!

★ Behind the Veil A Critical Discussion of the Veil Debate in the UK

★ A dissertation on 'Niqaab- its Islamic ruling and controversy in the West'