Shari’a Practice of Clothing: Debates and Controversies

Although veiling, in particular face veiling, is far from being an Islamic phenomenon, and its instrumental value had various forms, nowadays is almost strictly associated with Islam and retrograde teachings. After 11 September 2001, the Taliban extremism in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the growing Islamophobia (rooted many centuries ago), Muslim women have come to the centre of political and feminist discourse. In addition, the Qur’an and hadiths leave room for (re)interpretation, allowing manipulation of those parts that have the potential to highlight women’s inferiority and justify putting women in a submissive position. This chapter gives a historical overview of the veiling practices, roots and forms, from Mesopotamia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by theological and political debates and controversies and their implications on the lives of veiled women.