Middle Eastern Clothing and Customs

Middle Eastern Culture Struggle between tradition and modernity Islam is often seen as both a religion and a lifestyle Focus on: Honor (self-respect to self-pride) Equal treatment regardless of wealth, position, or rank. Strong loyalty to extended family, friends, and locality Expectation of solidarity. Family – loyalty; respect for elders

Sha’ria Law Code of law practiced in many Islamic nations Often just practiced regionally, not necessarily 100% in control with government Governs not only legislative issues but also personal ways of living Some examples: Rituals and worship Property and inheritance Contracts and trade Public Finance Crime Hygiene Criminal: breaking laws like alcohol, robbery, murder, etc. Punishments assigned accordingly Finance: most do not include interest (earned on your own), money as shared wealth Property: common property water, fire, pastures,

Social Norms and Customs Hygiene Cleansing body before entering house of worship Using only right hand for eating and drinking Respect Displaying the sole of one’s foot or touching someone with a foot Taking shoes off at homes, mosques No PDA Greeting elders before young Modest amount of personal space Greeting with statement of ‘Peace Be with You’

Hospitality and Eating Accepting snacks/drinks when offered Homes open at all times to guests Eating Etiquette: On ground Will use a common plate in some occasions Pass using right hand

Eating Requirements Halal Eating Requirements: No: Pork or pork by-products Animals that were dead prior to slaughter Birds of prey Alcohol Carnivorous animals No animal fat Any animal that is slaughtered must be done in the name of Allah and face Mecca

Clothing Men Must be covered from knees to waist in Islamic nations Most wear turbans or head-covers for both religious purposes and to cover head from extreme heat Women Many women are not required to wear head-coverings but choose to do so for modesty In some Islamic countries, women are expected to be covered fully with exception of hands and face Stricter nations require everything to be covered Rationale is so women are not viewed in a sexual manner

Types of Veil Hijab- head-covering used as a symbol of womanhood and modesty. Mostly associated with religion. Khimar- long cape-like veil covers hair, neck, and shoulders Chador- full body cloak worn in Iran Niqab- veil attached to head-cover. Covers all but eyes. Burqa- covers entire face and body with mesh screen to see SOURCE: http://www.apologeticsindex.org/505-muslim-veils-hijab-burqa The word hijab comes from the Arabic for veil and is used to describe the headscarves worn by Muslim women. These scarves, regarded by many Muslims as a symbol of both religion and womanhood, come in a myriad of styles and colours. The type most commonly worn in the West is a square scarf that covers the head and neck but leaves the face clear. The khimar is a long, cape-like veil that hangs down to just above the waist. It covers the hair, neck and shoulders completely, but leaves the face clear. The chador, worn by Iranian women when outside the house, is a full-body cloak. It is often accompanied by a smaller headscarf underneath. The niqab is a veil for the face that leaves the area around the eyes clear. However, this may be obscured by a separate eye veil. It is worn with an accompanying headscarf, such as a khimar. The burqa is the most concealing of all Islamic veils. It covers the entire face and body, leaving just a mesh screen to see through.

Gender Relations Most societies are patriarchal Women expected to submit to both religion and men Men are considered the breadwinners and closer to religion Women were expected to have an escort when in public Many still prefer arranged marriages Divorce is not normally allowed In some nations today, women are allowed to ask for a divorce Tradition said that all a man had to do was say a ‘divorce code’ Men most of the time get the children Educational inequalities exist Many women are not offered education of any sort

Status of Women Women’s roles vary in different nations Persian Gulf states- most women do not work outside of home, if they do its in all women institutions In Egypt, women are allowed to file for divorce and travel overseas without approval In Turkey, women wear Western clothes In Kuwait, women are allowed to vote In Saudi Arabia, women eat separate from men in public and can attend female only universities

Hijab Women’s attire (hijab) has been frequently viewed via a political lens. Kemal Attaturk prohibited Islamic outfit. Syrian government placed ban on the hijab in the 1980s. Turkey and Tunisia persecuted women who wear hijab since early 1990s. Iran and Saudi Arabia continue to enforce hijab. France outlawed hijab in late 2003.