What women should wear in the Middle East

Women's rights and public morality


The Quran does not specify specific gender roles for women. In only a few instances are circumstances men and women notably different in the Qur'an. Passages that seem to affirm male authority over women are based on the Islamic understanding that men are responsible for the financial support of women. While the Qur'an allows a Muslim man to take up to four wives, it also insists on equal treatment for all. In most Islamic practice, gender roles manifest themselves, partially because men and women are sometimes allotted different rights and different cultural expectations. Islamic Women are often expected to be obedient and loyal wives and later mothers, staying within the family environment, while men are expected to be protectors, bread winners and caretakers of the family.

Several passages of the Quran deal with acceptable dress for both men and women. Sura 24, Verses 30-31 states:

''"And tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to [those relatives who fall within bounds of close relationship explained in the Qur’an]..." Chapter 24, Verses 30-31''

“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.” [Al-Qur’an 24:30]

“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons…” [Al-Qur’an 24:31]

According to Qur’an and Sunnah People should were a 'hijab' and their clothes should be:
 * 1) The extent of covering obligatory on the male is to cover the body at least from the navel to the knees. For women, the extent of covering obligatory is to cover the complete body except the face and the hands up to the wrist.
 * 2) The clothes worn should be loose and should not reveal the figure.
 * 3) The clothes worn should not be transparent such that one can see through them.
 * 4) The clothes worn should not be so glamorous as to attract the opposite sex.
 * 5) The clothes worn should not resemble that of the opposite sex.
 * 6) The clothes worn should not resemble that of the unbelievers, i.e. they should not wear clothes that are specifically identities or symbols of the unbelievers’ religions.

The general moral conduct, behaviour, attitude, family life and intention of the individual are also regulated by this and related ideals.

Muslims can't drink alcohol or take hallucinogenic drugs and getting them intoxicated is considered evil. Gay/lesbian sex and fondling are also banned for being evil and perverted, especially for Muslims. Western youth culture is regarded as in poor taste.

Modern, drunken, sexed-up, Western, consumer driven, hedonistic, scantily clad, house parties are (as far as I know) seen as an abomination only available to non-believers.

An interesting point on 1970's Morocco.


The generation gap is apparent in the clothing. A 40-45 year old dressed prudish with a scarf, a 35-40 year old dressed prudish with out a scarf and a 20-25 year old dressed in 'rude and tarty' cloths and a bare head. The youngster is in theoretically facing trouble with god in the afterlife.

Women (as far as I know) should were a head scarf, baggy trousers and a full skirt, a baggy top with long sleeves and no deep necklines. In private and some urban settings things have got tighter and skimpier in recent times.

Bikinis, strappy tops, hot-pants and heavy make-up are defiantly forbidden and are considered immoral stuff that would only appeal to whores.

Overview


Tourists are welcomed from most places, but Israelis are not welcome in several nations and are viewed as both Palestine's and Iran's sworn enemy.

Women (as far as I know) should were a head scarf, baggy trousers and\or a full skirt, a baggy top with long sleeves and no deep necklines. In private and some urban settings things have got tighter and skimpier in recent time. Bikinis, strappy tops, hot-pants and heavy make-up are defiantly forbidden and are considered immoral stuff that would only appeal to whores.

It’s not intended to insult women to expect them to wear proper Islamic clothing, but religion and sexual restraint are a big issue in the region.

Adults


Some nations like Turkey and Lebanon are rather liberal and others like Saudi Arabia and ISIL are hard liners. If you are going to go into any mosques the rules are much more restrictive and you will have to cover both your whole body and all of your hair.

Trousers, skirts and tops should be loose fitting. There aren’t any footwear taboos. Women's shoulders and knees must covered. Generally most types of baggily shaped long sleeved t-shirts, non-revealing blouses, trousers and long skirts are OK. Heads are to be covered in mosques.

Bikinis, strappy tops, hot-pants and heavy make-up are defiantly forbidden and are considered immoral stuff that would only appeal to whores.

See-trough tights, vest tops, little-black-dresses, lycra shorts, boob-tubes and mini-skirts are regarded as very vulgar a only useful as underwear.

Short sleeves, short skirts, tight lycra leggings, ski-pants, halter-necked tops, gypsy-tops, tight jeans, shorts and plunging necklines are also considered too rude to be worn in public.

Headscarfs are to be warn in mosques and more severe nations. Covering your head is not necessary in most countries outside of the mosques, but a hat or cap is the best thing to were on a hot or sunny day to help protect your head.

Women should take note of this both out of respect to the local sensitivities, in order to avoid sticking out any more than they already do so as to avoid any remarks that such inappropriate dress might provoke.

Kids


Generally most types of baggy short sleeved t-shirts, non-revealing blouses, trousers and long skirts are OK. Heads may be covered in mosques. Hats and caps should be worn on hot and sunny days to protect there heads.

Law enforcement


The Islamic religious police (Arabic: مطوع‎‎ muṭawwiʿ, plural مطوعون muṭawwiʿūn – derived from classical Arabic: mutaṭawwiʿa/muṭṭawwiʿa) is the official vice squad of some Islamic states, who on behalf of the state, enforces Sharia law in respect to religious behavior, morality, and\ or the precepts of Wahhabism. The word mutaween (المطوعين muṭawwiʿīn; variant English spellings: mutawwain, muttawa", mutawallees, mutawa’ah, mutawi’, mutawwa') most literally means "volunteers" in the Arabic language, and is commonly used as a casual term for the government-authorized or government-recognized religious police (or clerical police) of Saudi Arabia. It was originally a casual synonym for the religious police of Saudi Arabia. The formal short term for the Saudi religious police isهيئة "hay'ah". Saudi Arabia and Iran inforce hijab on locals with such a police unit.

Sharia patrols, also referred to as Muslim patrols or modesty patrols, were groups of young Muslim men, members of an organisation that called itself the Shariah Project, who patrolled streets in East London from 2013 to 2014. The Muslim East London Mosque community condemned the patrols as "utterly unacceptable". In response to the 'Muslim Patrols', the far-right organisation Britain First has established 'Christian Patrols'.

Pakistan has no laws banning or enforcing the ħijāb. Surveys conducted in Pakistan show that most women wearing the ħijāb do so of their own choice.  Most women wear the  Shalwar Kameez, which consists of a tunic top and baggy trouser set which covers their arms, legs and body. A loose  dupatta scarf is also worn around the shoulders, upper chest and head since showing ones hair is considered rude and in bad taste. Men also have a similar dress code, but only women are expected to wear a veil and\or a scarf in public. Most ħijāb and  Burquas are worn in rural Islamist areas.

Videos


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Also see

 * 1) Egypt
 * 2) Iraq
 * 3) Iranian Revolution
 * 4) Iranian videos page
 * 5) Middle East
 * 6) Time line of Iraq
 * 7) 1970s energy crises
 * 8) Yom Kippur War
 * 9) Six-Day War
 * 10) Suez Crisis
 * 11) 1948 Palestine war
 * 12) Iranian Revolution
 * 13) The curse known as "Little Englanders"
 * 14) Minerals and fuel in central Africa
 * 15) Mineral mining, smelting and shipping videos

Links

 * 1) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/01/08/this-fascinating-chart-shows-how-middle-easterners-think-women-should-dress/
 * 2) http://www.cestchristine.com/2013/05/how-to-pack-stylishly-for-jordan/
 * 3) http://petergreenberg.com/2013/04/12/know-before-you-go-how-to-dress-in-the-middle-east/
 * 4) http://travelingthemiddleeast.com/how-to-dress/
 * 5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_religious_police
 * 6) http://studenttravel.about.com/od/womenstudenttravelers/a/muslimclothing.htm
 * 7) https://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Pakistan/Local_Customs-Pakistan-Clothing-BR-1.html
 * 8) http://studenttravel.about.com/od/womenstudenttravelers/a/muslimclothing_2.htm
 * 9) http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/wfnews/10819540.Convicted__Muslim_Patrol__attackers__views_condemned/
 * 10) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9818163/Muslim-Patrol-thugs-abuse-man-in-second-vigilante-video.html
 * 11) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharia_patrols
 * 12) http://www.girlsgetaway.com/tag/middle-east-what-to-pack-for-women/
 * 13) http://www.travelturkeyguide.com/istanbul/where-to-go/buildings-museums-and-monuments/mosques/new-mosque/
 * 14) https://karisews.wordpress.com/tag/salwar-kameez/
 * 15) http://herpackinglist.com/2013/02/female-packing-list-for-the-middle-east/
 * 16) http://www.journeywoman.com/traveltales/dresses_smart.html
 * 17) http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Islam/2001/10/Islam-And-The-Role-Of-Women.aspx
 * 18) http://www.islamlaws.com/why-hijab-necessary-in-islambenefitsimportancedefinition/
 * 19) http://travelingthemiddleeast.com/how-to-dress/
 * 20) http://www.girlsgetaway.com/tag/middle-east-what-to-pack-for-women/
 * 21) http://www.travelturkeyguide.com/istanbul/where-to-go/buildings-museums-and-monuments/mosques/new-mosque/
 * 22) http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2015/0705/Jordan-s-scorned-gypsies-the-Dom-say-it-s-time-to-demand-their-rights
 * 23) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/08/female-muslim-dress-survey_n_4564188.html
 * 24) http://adventuretravel.about.com/video/How-Should-You-Dress-When-Traveling-in-the-Middle-East.htm
 * 25) http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f30_1331416734
 * 26) http://www.journeywoman.com/ccc/ccc-e.html
 * 27) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2993300/Mutilated-beheaded-thrown-deaths-tall-buildings-time-pictures-claim-ISIS-fighters-subjected-wartime-atrocities-allegedly-carried-Iraqi-forces.html
 * 28) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3191893/The-white-van-man-taking-ISIS-Grandfather-53-sold-car-motorbikes-boat-fight-jihadis-Iraq.html
 * 29) http://www.irfad.org/iraq-fashion/
 * 30) http://www.salaam.co.uk/themeofthemonth/january02_index.php?l=7
 * 31) http://www.baghdadanne.com/tipsfortravelers.htm
 * 32) http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/Iraq/Packing_Lists-Iraq-TG-C-1.html
 * 33) http://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/united-arab-emirates/what-can-i-wear-uae
 * 34) https://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Egypt/Muhafazat_al_Qahirah/Cairo-2008750/Local_Customs-Cairo-Dress_Codes_for_Women-BR-1.html
 * 35) https://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Egypt/Muhafazat_al_Qahirah/Cairo-2008750/Local_Customs-Cairo-Dress_Codes_for_Women-BR-1.html
 * 36) http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/africa/morocco/culture-etiquette/
 * 37) http://www.goworldtravel.com/how-to-dress-traveling-in-muslim-countries/
 * 38) http://studenttravel.about.com/od/womenstudenttravelers/a/muslimclothing.htm
 * 39) https://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Pakistan/Local_Customs-Pakistan-Clothing-BR-1.html
 * 40) http://studenttravel.about.com/od/womenstudenttravelers/a/muslimclothing_2.htm