Attire Preferences Across Muslim-majority Nations
A recent study conducted across seven Muslim-majority nations sheds light on prevailing opinions regarding women's attire in public settings.
Visual Representation and Preference
Respondents were presented with visual representations of different styles of women's head coverings and asked to select the most suitable attire for public outings. The styles ranged from fully concealing options like the abaya and niqab to less conservative choices like the hijab, with one option showing no head covering.
Popular Choices
Across the board, the majority favored Woman #4, depicted wearing a white hijab that covers her hair and ears entirely. This preference was especially strong in Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, and Iraq. Woman #3, sporting a black abaya covering her hair and ears, was the second most popular choice in Iraq and Egypt.
Regional Variations
In Pakistan, opinions were divided between Woman #3 and Woman #2, who wore a niqab revealing only her eyes, while a significant portion favored Woman #4. In Saudi Arabia, a majority preferred Woman #2, with some also supporting the fully hooded abaya.
Acceptance of Non-covered Hair
Interestingly, sizable minorities in several countries expressed acceptance of women not covering their hair in public. Turkey and Tunisia had significant percentages endorsing this view, with Lebanon showing a higher acceptance, possibly influenced by its diverse religious composition.
Support for Women's Autonomy
Despite the preference for conservative attire, a substantial portion of respondents across various countries supported women's autonomy in deciding their clothing. This sentiment was particularly strong in Tunisia, Turkey, Lebanon, and surprisingly, Saudi Arabia, suggesting a nuanced perspective on personal choice amidst cultural expectations.
Future Considerations
However, the survey does not delve into whether respondents believe societal norms will influence women's clothing choices in the future.
Who knows what the future holds, but as things stand currently there is a significant shift towards more modest fashion witnessed amongst a growing section of British Muslim women who are inspiring, and leading the way.
sources: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2014/01/08/what-is-appropriate-attire-for-women-in-muslim-countries/