Wearing a head scarf in a modern/liberal Muslim country

[Anonymous]

From what I am told/have read, it is not necessary for tourists/non Muslims to wear any kind of head covering--but that doing so may help deflect unwanted attention. When I travel, I am ALL about "blending."
Can anyone please advise me on where to even buy an appropriate scarf? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

This is highly variable.

Where are you traveling?

Different countries also have different styles and fashion, completely aside from the modesty argument.

[Anonymous]

This really depends on what country you are talking about. It will have some impact on how you are treated. In some places it might help you blend. need more info.

[Anonymous]

Thank you.

This will be Morocco. Most of the time I will be with a group and we will traveling through some smaller villages (atlas mountains.)
I will be spending one day in Marrakesh on my own, which was my bigger concern.

[Anonymous]

Where are you traveling to? I'm Muslim by birth (but not religious at all) and I don't cover my hair here in the states so I don't do it while abroad either, with the exception of in Iran, because it's required of everyone. Even there though, I go with a very light scarf and most of my hair shows, and nobody says anything about it.

[Anonymous]

I understand your intent, but tbh you won't blend, headscarf or not! And you'll probably be more uncomfortable and less agile - having spent months wearing hijab in a country where it is required, I can attest to the fact that it does degrade your sensory perception a bit, especially your hearing. In a heavily touristed country like Morocco, I'd just dress conservatively - long sleeves/pants or skirt, nothing form-fitting.

[Anonymous]

Throw a scarf in your purse. Sometimes you will want to enter a beautiful building and will need to be covered.

[Anonymous]

Any simple "fashion" scarf that is not sheer should be fine.

In Morocco, I might recommend wearing a wedding ring (a fake one, even if you are not married) to help ward off unwanted attention. You would not have to learn how to tie it - just wear it modestly like you're a stylish lady driving a convertible and want to protect your hair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you.

This will be Morocco. Most of the time I will be with a group and we will traveling through some smaller villages (atlas mountains.)
I will be spending one day in Marrakesh on my own, which was my bigger concern.

You don't have to cover your hair there. You are with a group, clearly a tourist and clearly a non-Muslim. Wear loose clothes, long sleeves, long pants, and that's enough to show respect. They have seen tons of people just like you. Have a sheer scarf with you just in case you want to tour a mosque or something but my experience in Morocco is no one expects coverage. Do note if you cover, people may assume you are Muslim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From what I am told/have read, it is not necessary for tourists/non Muslims to wear any kind of head covering--but that doing so may help deflect unwanted attention. When I travel, I am ALL about "blending."
Can anyone please advise me on where to even buy an appropriate scarf? Thank you.

I wonder how concerned those that wear head coverings and full body coverings in their homeland feel about 'blending' while visiting here.

In many countries, women have no choice but to wear a covering. No choice. Why would you support that type of oppression by embracing it? You come from a country of choices, be that symbol around the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From what I am told/have read, it is not necessary for tourists/non Muslims to wear any kind of head covering--but that doing so may help deflect unwanted attention. When I travel, I am ALL about "blending."
Can anyone please advise me on where to even buy an appropriate scarf? Thank you.

I wonder how concerned those that wear head coverings and full body coverings in their homeland feel about 'blending' while visiting here.

In many countries, women have no choice but to wear a covering. No choice. Why would you support that type of oppression by embracing it? You come from a country of choices, be that symbol around the world.

This! I lived in the Middle East and was proudly wearing european closing. Nothing provocative, everything was covered, but still very European.
Oh, and I loved the look the men gives you when you drive in Oman or Jordan.

[Anonymous]

You can wear any scarf that covers most of your hair. It doesn't have to be pinned the way many Muslim women do.

My husband is Egyptian, and I've spent almost a year there. That's the only country I know. But you don't need to wear a head scarf unless you are going in a mosque. People know you are a tourist and want you there as a tourist. I've seen tourists dress all kinds of ways. But I'd keep sleeves down closer to the elbow, and wear slacks or a skirt at least slightly below the knees. I do take a scarf in case I'm going into a mosque for some reason, even as a tourist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From what I am told/have read, it is not necessary for tourists/non Muslims to wear any kind of head covering--but that doing so may help deflect unwanted attention. When I travel, I am ALL about "blending."
Can anyone please advise me on where to even buy an appropriate scarf? Thank you.

I wonder how concerned those that wear head coverings and full body coverings in their homeland feel about 'blending' while visiting here.

In many countries, women have no choice but to wear a covering. No choice. Why would you support that type of oppression by embracing it? You come from a country of choices, be that symbol around the world.

This! I lived in the Middle East and was proudly wearing european closing. Nothing provocative, everything was covered, but still very European.
Oh, and I loved the look the men gives you when you drive in Oman or Jordan.

I doubt the men were giving you looks in these two countries because you drive. It may have been something else, but not the fact that you drive since women drive freely and have been driving there for decades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you.

This will be Morocco. Most of the time I will be with a group and we will traveling through some smaller villages (atlas mountains.)
I will be spending one day in Marrakesh on my own, which was my bigger concern.

You don't have to cover your hair there. You are with a group, clearly a tourist and clearly a non-Muslim. Wear loose clothes, long sleeves, long pants, and that's enough to show respect. They have seen tons of people just like you. Have a sheer scarf with you just in case you want to tour a mosque or something but my experience in Morocco is no one expects coverage. Do note if you cover, people may assume you are Muslim.

+1. If you do wear a headscarf, you'll have to bear in mind you won't blend in at all if you engage in activities inconsistent with veiling, like having an alcoholic beverage with your meal or if the rest of your outfit isn't consistent with veiling (e.g., wearing short sleeves).

I agree with PP who said you should wear a wedding ring and claim to be married. Especially while you are alone in the city, I would highly recommend wearing sunglasses, avoiding eye contact with males, ignore men who approach you and try to start a conversation (including those who try to get you to go into a shop or something because you will end up with a hard sale of something you won't even want), etc.

[Anonymous]

I agree about the fake wedding ring, and I just used to keep a lightweight shawl/scarf that I could loosely wrap around my head, like in 16:22.