The New Muslim Woman and Fashion
Islam is a religion of culture, and I daresay with its code of dressing, particularly for women as its biggest subculture. For the Muslim woman, the hijab represents an unmistakable cultural identity as well as a hallmark of religious modesty. In simple terms, the hijab (also referred to as a head/face/body covering) is a veil or headscarf which covers the head, most parts of the face, the neck, and the chest. The hijab which I have nicknamed ‘the darling of Muslim fashion' is usually complemented by an apparel popularly known as Abaya . Although not a Muslim, I was graced with the rare opportunity of witnessing the evolution of the combination of hijab and abaya over the years, as part of my growing up in the northern part of Ghana. Most of my female Muslim friends had often expressed the desire to uphold their virtue and decency in dressing as expected of them as Muslim women, while still avoiding that “one way'' look all the time. These conversatio...