Young Muslims in Cairo transform the hijab

[monnik 0]

There are quite a few Christians who hold to covering their hair for religious reasons, and also for cultural reasons (in a lot of the ME you see people basically dressed the same regardless of religion). Strict orthodox judaism also involves haircovering for women. "Modern" orthodox jews cover their hair in the synagogue. I don't see how it would be disrespectful or offensive to any group. Maybe he has another reason? the "Spanish" style does not fit the "proper" muslim covering because it doesn't cover the neck and really does look like a christian or jewish covering to me. I'd say make a friend and ask! I belong to a yahoo group for women who are christian, muslim, or jewish who cover their hair and dress modestly or are interested in it.. I can see if anyone knows of an online tutorial.

thanks for the info. a tutorial would be nice.

when i wear it, it will be just for fashion. like i tell my hubby sometimes "cause i want to, thats why!" hehhehehe but, he told me part of his reasons. i mean, he said in his family, noone covers their hair. so, maybe he doesn't want me to stick out more than i already do. i mean i stick out in his family & in public.

so all eyes are on me, and in USA it wouldn't even be an issue, but here it is so important what your family thinks about you and i wouldn't want to give my MIL any reason to have to defend me or my fashion tastes.

but, im definitely gonna wear it when i get back to USA even if i have to teach myself how to do it. i just hope i dont ####### myself to death with the pins!

[ya falaha! 0]

I don't think it would be disrespectful if you wore higab in Egypt even if you're Christian. The only way I would think it would be disrespectful if you were doing it mock the religion. Many women (foreign) wear it in MENA countries for various reasons even if they don't normally wear it. I'm a non practicing Muslim who doesn't wear higab here but when I'm in Egypt I do wear it. I wear it for two reasons...1. out of respect for my inlaws and 2. to "blend" in. If you haven't noticed Egyptians tend to stare which makes me very uncomfortable. I have dark hair and eyes but my skin is very fair so if I'm covered I don't get the stares.

I like the Spanish-style one from the slideshow. It looks nice and chic.

me too. and i also like this style worn by J Lo.

i have seen many girls here in Cairo wearing this style but with 2 or 3 different colors weaved together into a big side bun or a bun in the back. i love it and i want to learn how to tie it!! but, my husband frowns upon me wearing it here cause i am not Muslim. he said i can wear it if i want, but he thinks it will draw negative attention. in USA it wouldnt be a big deal. singers like India Arie and Erykah Badu wear scarves and wrap their hair up. and i grew up with many African-American friends who wrap their hair and it always looks so chic.

what do you all think? if i were to wear anything it would be in this style or in the spanish style from the slideshow (not the neck-covering style), but do you think that in Cairo, it would be seen as disrespectful?? a blue-eyed Christian American wearing a head wrap : would it be offensive to the Christians or the Muslims, cause i don't want to offend anyone. do you think it would be disrespectful to ask a Muslim girl how to tie them? or does anyone know how to do it and could explain it to me?

[Henia 11]

EVen if I wanted, I cannot see how to do some of these styles...or why they would want to...wearing one hijeb is hot enough...but 3,4,5,6? just to be cute? stupid...the whole point of veiling is to veil (cover) but anyway... In my opinion if you want to so cute like a Barblie doll....take the damn hijeb off...donnot disrespect the hijeb...and ruin it for the rest of us...PLZ!

[Sofiyya 1,687]

EVen if I wanted, I cannot see how to do some of these styles...or why they would want to...wearing one hijeb is hot enough...but 3,4,5,6? just to be cute? stupid...the whole point of veiling is to veil (cover) but anyway... In my opinion if you want to so cute like a Barblie doll....take the damn hijeb off...donnot disrespect the hijeb...and ruin it for the rest of us...PLZ!

Point taken. I don't wear headscarves myself; the ayat that some claim demand headcovering can be debated. However, there is no doubt that they command modesty in direct contrast to a public display of one's beauty and adornment. So, if you believe that you are covering to fulfull a command from God to be modest, trying to be "cute" and attractive to men is the opposite of what God commands as modesty.

The style that Jlo is shown wearing is very common among African-American Muslimas. I used to wear that syle myself when I was young due to their influence in the Washington, DC ummah. It's not so much fashion for them, since it has been a stable of dress for decades. It's more about incorporating their African heritage; the style is also common in the sub-Saharan part of the continent.

Blue-eyed Muslims are not unknown in the Arab world. I doubt any Muslim would care what color a hijab wearer's eyes are.

Edited May 17, 2007 by Green-eyed girl

[deemabrouk 0]

Blue-eyed Muslims are not unknown in the Arab world. I doubt any Muslim would care what color a hijab wearer's eyes are.

Did I miss something??? where did the eye color thing come from?

[ya falaha! 0]

It came from Monnick's post about one of the reasons why she doesn't wear higab in Egypt.

[Together4ever 1]

My husband's mother was as white skinned as I am and her eyes were not dark. Her hair was strawberry blonde. This was due to strong English blood lines in her family dating back to when the English were very prevalent in Egypt. This is not uncommon.

[deemabrouk 0]

one of my egyptian friends had dirty blonde hair and blue/ green eyes.. When people see me they ask if I am Syrian Cause I have fair skin but Bright blue eyes

I'll have to re read her post about the eyes...

[deemabrouk 0]

Just for Kicks...

Who on this site actually wear a Hijab?????

I do !!!

Edited May 17, 2007 by deemabrouk

[kerewin21 2]

EVen if I wanted, I cannot see how to do some of these styles...or why they would want to...wearing one hijeb is hot enough...but 3,4,5,6? just to be cute? stupid...the whole point of veiling is to veil (cover) but anyway... In my opinion if you want to so cute like a Barblie doll....take the damn hijeb off...donnot disrespect the hijeb...and ruin it for the rest of us...PLZ!

I just don't see how someone wearing a "cute" hijab affects you at all, much less ruins it for you. You are free to wear any style of hijab you see fit, or not to wear one at all.

[Ban Hammer 13,293]

EVen if I wanted, I cannot see how to do some of these styles...or why they would want to...wearing one hijeb is hot enough...but 3,4,5,6? just to be cute? stupid...the whole point of veiling is to veil (cover) but anyway... In my opinion if you want to so cute like a Barblie doll....take the damn hijeb off...donnot disrespect the hijeb...and ruin it for the rest of us...PLZ!

I just don't see how someone wearing a "cute" hijab affects you at all, much less ruins it for you. You are free to wear any style of hijab you see fit, or not to wear one at all.

it's the "more muslim than thou" olympics, kerewin.

[deemabrouk 0]

BLACK BURQA FOR EVERYONE !!!!!

Wooo HOOOOooo!!!!!!!!!

[ya falaha! 0]

I could never understand why it's always a pissing match to see who is more "Muslim". Looky here...I'm much more pious than you cuz I wear a higab and only eat halal...na, na, na, na, na.

[doodlebug 3]

EVen if I wanted, I cannot see how to do some of these styles...or why they would want to...wearing one hijeb is hot enough...but 3,4,5,6? just to be cute? stupid...the whole point of veiling is to veil (cover) but anyway... In my opinion if you want to so cute like a Barblie doll....take the damn hijeb off...donnot disrespect the hijeb...and ruin it for the rest of us...PLZ!

Henia I find your opinion on this odd given that you've posted so so many stylish hijabs in the past on this board.

[kerewin21 2]

it's the "more muslim than thou" olympics, kerewin.

I would welcome a more reasoned discussion of this. I guess history has shown, however, that this forum does not tolerate reasoned discussion of potentially inflammatory topics.