Burqa

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Woman in an Afghan burqa

A burqa (also burkha, burka or burqua) is an all-enveloping outer garment worn by most women in Afghanistan, and many in India and Pakistan. It is worn over the usual daily clothing (often a long dress or a salwar kameez) and removed when the woman returns to the sanctuary of the household.

Before the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, it was little worn in cities^{[citation needed]}. During the Taliban's reign, women were required to wear a burqa whenever they appeared in public. Officially it is not required under the present Afghan regime, but local warlords still usually enforce it everywhere outside Kabul.^{[citation needed]} In current unsettled conditions, women who might not otherwise wear the burqa must do so as matter of personal safety.

The full or Afghan burqa covers the wearer's entire face except for a small region about the eyes, which is covered by a concealing net or grille. Pakistani and Indian burkas may expose the face or eyes. It is usually sewn from light materials, and requires many yards/meters of material. Blue is a favourite colour for burqas. The cap from which the material hangs may be decorated with embroidery.

Many Muslims believe that the Islamic scripture, the Qur'an, and the collected traditions, or hadith, require a woman to dress and behave modestly in public. However, this requirement, called hijab, has been interpreted in many different ways by Islamic scholars (ulema) and Muslim communities (see Women in Muslim societies).

1 Prohibition of the burqa in Europe
2 See also
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Prohibition of the burqa in Europe

Main article: Islamic dress controversy in Europe

Women wearing burqas.

The burqa is a prominent symbol of the presence of Islam in Europe^{[citation needed]}, although very few women wear it^{[citation needed]}. It has become a controversial political issue, and some intellectuals and political groups advocate prohibition, for various reasons. The government of the Netherlands is the first to plan a legal ban on face-covering Islamic clothing, popularly described as the 'burqa ban', although it does not only apply to the Afghan-type burqa. Immigration and Integration minister Rita Verdonk announced the legislation in November 2006. ^[1] In the November 2006 general election, the Party for Freedom won 9 seats: it advocates prohibition of the burqa. In response, a group of Muslim women organised a unique (for Europe) pro-burqa demonstration at the newly elected Dutch parliament in The Hague. ^[2]

Islamic dress for women that covers the face has also been controversial in Britain. A British Cabinet minister, MP Jack Straw, asked Muslim women from his constituency to remove any veils covering their faces during face-to-face meetings with him. He explained to the media that this was a request, not a demand, and that he made sure that a woman staffer remained in the room during the meeting. A media furore followed. Some Muslim groups said that they understood his concerns, and others rejected them as prejudicial to Muslims. [3] It is not clear that any of the affected Muslim constituents were wearing burqas. The Arabian face veil, or niqab, is more common among British Muslims.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ Expatica: Cabinet backs plan to ban burka, 17 November 2006, [1]
^ IHT: Muslim women protest outside Dutch parliament against burqa ban , November 30, 2006, [2]