Common Misconceptions about Muslim Mid Eastern Clothing

We wanted to clear up a few common misconceptions about Muslim Mid Eastern Clothing. To begin with you do not need to be Muslim or Mid Eastern to wear Mid Eastern Clothing. Anyone can wear the clothing, it is just clothing. If you have heard the recent publicity surrounding celebrities and others wearing the Ghutra for example, you will see that anyone can wear this style of clothing.

While the clothing is native to Mid Eastern people most of whom are Muslim, it is not tied to the Muslim religion. In fact there are some Mid Eastern people who are Christian, and they still wear many of the clothing particularly the Mens and Ladies Salwar Kameez Suit outfits and scarves.

Many Christians also wear scarves to cover their head, like Mary did. Nuns also will often cover their head with a scarf. Amish people cover their heads and so do Jewish people. Other people cover their head for Fashion, like Rappers or Cowboys for example.

Many people of various religions and of different regions including the United States and Britian, prefer to wear modest clothing that does not show off their assets. Modesty is often a personal decision that may or may not have roots in religion or region of birth. Some people prefer to be modestly covered and do not like to draw attention to themselves. Some will also wear the clothing for comfort as most of it is quite comfortable. Many wear it simply because it is beautiful, with its unique designs and lovely embroidery that put some big names in the Fashion Industry to shame.

Secondly wearing Muslim (Islamic) Mid Eastern clothing does not make people feel you are being disrespectful of their religion. They understand you are not mocking them, and enjoy seeing all people in Mid Eastern Muslim dress. Some people will also wear the clothing if they are in a play or other Theatre production and may also wear the clothing for a school project.

Anyone and everyone is welcome to wear this fashion of clothing. And while there may be a few people who may not approve, like everything else in life there are some people that you cannot please who will take offense at any and everything. But for the most part that is a small percentage of people.

So whether you wear Muslim Mid Eastern style clothing for reasons of religion, region of birth, fashion or just for the fun of wearing it; Go ahead, its just clothing, anyone can wear it We certainly do not mind.

Common Muslim Terminology and Their Meanings

Common Muslim terminology is shown below. Due to different countries and their regional language or terminology, there often are different names or spellings used for the same clothing. That is why some terms have more than one name shown.

Abaya

An Abaya is a robe or dress that Muslim women wear over their clothing to cover their body shapes as instructed in the Islamic religion.

Jilbab or Jelbab

Jilbabs are also a robe or dress but have a more western look and are more fashionable to wear. Most Muslim women wear a Jilbab over their clothing to cover their body shapes as instructed in the Islamic religion.

Niqab or Niquab

Niqab is a garment that enables Muslim women to cover their faces from non-mahram men. Niqab is widely used by Muslim women who believe in the Islamic teachings of covering ones face also (besides the head and hair) from non-mahram men.

Long Blouses, Kurtas & Tunics

Muslim women dress modestly and do not reveal their bodies by wearing tight clothing that reveals body shapes and Muslim contours. Women prefer wearing long tops and blouses over pants to cover the hip and waist area. These are often called Kurtas or Tunics.

Thobe, Jelbab or Dishdasha

Men also wear Jilbabs or Thobes to cover themselves properly as instructed in the Islamic religion. These are also often refered to as a Dishdasha.

Kufi

A hat or headcovering worn by Muslim Men to cover themselves as instructed in the Islamic religion.