Question for women who wear the hijab

[Anonymous]

I am Muslim. I do not wear the hijab but many friends and family members do. For some it is a sign of modesty. For others it is a proud symbol of their faith (a few I know specifically chose to wear the hijab specifically in areas/times when Muslims were being persecuted).

Women who wear the hijab are not considered religious perfect and completely pious. They are human and as such flawed, like the rest of us. Even the ones who take it on as a sign of modesty may choose to indulge their affinity for sparkle and attention in a way that feels a little bit more acceptable. It's a process of growth and reflection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not muslim however I believe it has to do with their hair, as it does in some Jewish sects.


I am catholic and I veil, it has everything to do with humility before the presence of God and nothing to do with modesty, so maybe it is a bit of that too, since the "big 3" religions are so intertwined.

Great question, I'll be interested in learning more!

WHAT?

How old are you? The last time I saw someone Catholic "veil" was in my father's hometown in Italy. She was in her 80s.

I am 42. I am not a nun.

[Anonymous]

I wonder about this too, OP. I've seen many veiled Muslim women with very bright, provocative makeup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not muslim however I believe it has to do with their hair, as it does in some Jewish sects.


I am catholic and I veil, it has everything to do with humility before the presence of God and nothing to do with modesty, so maybe it is a bit of that too, since the "big 3" religions are so intertwined.

Great question, I'll be interested in learning more!

WHAT?

How old are you? The last time I saw someone Catholic "veil" was in my father's hometown in Italy. She was in her 80s.

I am 42. I am not a nun.

I'm confused. We're talking about a lacey or printed scarf/shawl wrapped around the head, right? Not a habit. Right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not muslim however I believe it has to do with their hair, as it does in some Jewish sects.


I am catholic and I veil, it has everything to do with humility before the presence of God and nothing to do with modesty, so maybe it is a bit of that too, since the "big 3" religions are so intertwined.

Great question, I'll be interested in learning more!

Why? That went out with Vatican II

It did not go "out" it became a choice. I choose too, just like I choose daily mass and pre vii fasting rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not muslim however I believe it has to do with their hair, as it does in some Jewish sects.


I am catholic and I veil, it has everything to do with humility before the presence of God and nothing to do with modesty, so maybe it is a bit of that too, since the "big 3" religions are so intertwined.

Great question, I'll be interested in learning more!

WHAT?

How old are you? The last time I saw someone Catholic "veil" was in my father's hometown in Italy. She was in her 80s.

I am 42. I am not a nun.

I'm confused. We're talking about a lacey or printed scarf/shawl wrapped around the head, right? Not a habit. Right?

Of course. I was answering the poster below you as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but I do have a question in case anyone knows - in Saudi Arabia the women wear black and in Iran the women wear blue. Why don't women in Saudi Arabia wear blue? Wouldn't in be cooler? Is the color dictated by the government?

Not sure where you got that info PP, but it's not entirely correct. Women in Iran wear every color of the rainbow. In Iran, hijab is required but it varies very widely depending on the individual and the context. The most forward leaning will wear a short jacket of any color and a headscarf of any color; they'll show a lot of hair, wear plenty of makeup, and in the summer will wear sandals and toenail polish and

Those who are politically/socially very conservative will wear mostly dark colors, with a longer jacket and a conservative style of headscarf that kind of goes on like a hood (called a maghneh) - on top of the scarf and the coat, they will layer a chador which is like a floating black head-to-toe veil. The latter is the required uniform for govt officials. More traditional women wear just the chador, and it's not uncommon to see them flowered or multi-colored (then it kind of looks like a bedsheet or tablecloth.)

In Saudi Arabia, hijab is also required but in the form of an abaya which is typically black. Saudi has official religious police and the standards for proper hijab are much more strenuously enforced than in most parts of Iran.

As for the OP's question, hijab relates to a Koranic verse and has been interpreted in a variety of different fashions. Only the most ascetic would demand pure black headscarves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but I do have a question in case anyone knows - in Saudi Arabia the women wear black and in Iran the women wear blue. Why don't women in Saudi Arabia wear blue? Wouldn't in be cooler? Is the color dictated by the government?

Do you mean in Afghanistan?

In Saudi, Saudi women must wear black niquab (only eyes showing). Foreign women can wear any type of headscarf, but they also risk harassment if dressed a lot differently.

In Iran, women are required to wear headscarves, but not of a certain color. You often see much more hair peeking out in Iran, too.

In Afghanistan, women were required to wear a burqa under the Taliban, and they are generally blue. It wards off the evil eye. Now you will see women wearing regular head scarves, but many still wear the burqa for safety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but I do have a question in case anyone knows - in Saudi Arabia the women wear black and in Iran the women wear blue. Why don't women in Saudi Arabia wear blue? Wouldn't in be cooler? Is the color dictated by the government?

Do you mean in Afghanistan?

In Saudi, Saudi women must wear black niquab (only eyes showing). Foreign women can wear any type of headscarf, but they also risk harassment if dressed a lot differently.

In Iran, women are required to wear headscarves, but not of a certain color. You often see much more hair peeking out in Iran, too.

In Afghanistan, women were required to wear a burqa under the Taliban, and they are generally blue. It wards off the evil eye. Now you will see women wearing regular head scarves, but many still wear the burqa for safety.

Sorry, 19:23, I answered before seeing your answer.

[Anonymous]

Not everyone loves the veil, but they are also not ready to pick that battle/defy familial expectations etc. And if this is outside the US, they may also be afraid of the religious police. As a female with a diplomatic passport, I got away with a lot. My local friends/colleagues couldn't

[Anonymous]

I'm OP. Thank you so much for the enlightening answers. I learned something new today, and appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not muslim however I believe it has to do with their hair, as it does in some Jewish sects.


I am catholic and I veil, it has everything to do with humility before the presence of God and nothing to do with modesty, so maybe it is a bit of that too, since the "big 3" religions are so intertwined.

Great question, I'll be interested in learning more!

Why? That went out with Vatican II

It did not go "out" it became a choice. I choose too, just like I choose daily mass and pre vii fasting rules.

Are you Opus Dei?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not muslim however I believe it has to do with their hair, as it does in some Jewish sects.


I am catholic and I veil, it has everything to do with humility before the presence of God and nothing to do with modesty, so maybe it is a bit of that too, since the "big 3" religions are so intertwined.

Great question, I'll be interested in learning more!

WHAT?

How old are you? The last time I saw someone Catholic "veil" was in my father's hometown in Italy. She was in her 80s.

I'm very curious about this too. I've only ever seen nuns veil here. I have veiled in churches in Russia and Rome but haven't seen it here.

Non-veiling Catholic here. I have seen relatively young women (in their 20s) veil at daily masses at the basilica by CU. I see a variety of women veil at my regular church from time to time or other churches I visit for daily mass. Some young, some middle aged, some elderly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but I do have a question in case anyone knows - in Saudi Arabia the women wear black and in Iran the women wear blue. Why don't women in Saudi Arabia wear blue? Wouldn't in be cooler? Is the color dictated by the government?

Do you mean in Afghanistan?

In Saudi, Saudi women must wear black niquab (only eyes showing). Foreign women can wear any type of headscarf, but they also risk harassment if dressed a lot differently.

In Iran, women are required to wear headscarves, but not of a certain color. You often see much more hair peeking out in Iran, too.

In Afghanistan, women were required to wear a burqa under the Taliban, and they are generally blue. It wards off the evil eye. Now you will see women wearing regular head scarves, but many still wear the burqa for safety.

Is there any reason why a woman would wear the head to toe, face covered, heavy black fabric Saudi outfit here in the US during a hot humid summer day?

Do you think it is a religious thing at this point or a family/father/husband control thing?

I saw two separate young women out like this during the heat wave and it just made me want to cry for them.

I don't feel that way at all about the hajib, but the full coverage with only a tiny rectangle of eyes showing is so very different and repressive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not muslim however I believe it has to do with their hair, as it does in some Jewish sects.


I am catholic and I veil, it has everything to do with humility before the presence of God and nothing to do with modesty, so maybe it is a bit of that too, since the "big 3" religions are so intertwined.

Great question, I'll be interested in learning more!

Why? That went out with Vatican II

It did not go "out" it became a choice. I choose too, just like I choose daily mass and pre vii fasting rules.

Are you Opus Dei?

Nope.