Burqa – An Emirati Woman’s Crown Jewel

You’ll see every Emirati woman wearing a burqa in the malls and streets of Dubai, is it instilled in their culture, or do they prefer to keep their identity hidden? 

There are many controversies about wearing a burqa worldwide; you must’ve heard these, and many questions are popping up in your head. 

By the end of this article, you’ll be able to brush off all the misconceptions and confusion about why Muslim women wear them. 

For Emirati women, it holds the utmost importance as they wear it as outerwear or face cover over their daily outfits. They can’t go outside until they wear a burqa and properly cover themselves. 

You’ll get to know so many interesting facts about it in this article and explore the areas from where you can buy a burqa. So before you move forward, read about what’s a burqa and imagine what you will study. 

Generally, it is an outer garment that covers the whole body and the face. But the Emirati Burqa is just the face veil. Muslim women wear it as a symbol of modesty and dignity. The word “burqa” is derived from the Arabic word “Burqu,” which means “a veil or curtain.” 

We can trace the history of the Burqa back to the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). At that time, Muslim women used to wear a loose outer garment called a “Jilbab” to cover their bodies. 

Still, Burqa in UAE holds ultimate significance as well as in Islam and is common in all Islamic countries. Some of these countries enforce it as a compulsion; in others, women are free to choose and decide why they should wear it. 

Let’s begin with its fascinating history of it!

History

The Emirati Burqa is far different from the one worn in previous times. There are also variations in the Burqa worn in other Islamic countries. But the truest origin of the Burqa in UAE is unknown yet. 

It originated from the old Islamic times when women wore a one-piece long loose garment to cover their bodies. 

Later on, during the reign of Caliph Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, it became compulsory for Muslim women to cover their faces with a veil while going out in public. In addition, the Caliph is known for introducing the black color for the Burqa as it was considered a symbol of modesty. 

But after the reign of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, no authentic and reliable evidence can tell us whether the Islamic women continued to cover their faces or not. So the dispute on whether to cover the face or not continues in the Islamic world. 

The Burqa worn in today’s Gulf countries is very different from the old Burqa. It looks like a standard red or golden split red towel that covers mostly the forehead. The focus is only on protecting eyebrows and upper lip, and the long black loose garment is seen to be nowhere. 

Instead, they wear an abaya, the modern form of the Burqa. 

Burqa Designs

There are a lot of designs in Burqa, as it has become more of a fashion statement than just a covering cloth. The methods and colors of the Burqa can be seen to be matching with the latest trends in fashion. 

But still, some women prefer to wear the traditional black loose outer garment that covers their whole body.

The face veil can also be seen in different colors and designs. Some women prefer plain black cloth while others like to add a little glamour to it by wearing a designer face veil. 

There are variations in burqa design based on the region they are being worn in. 

1.     The Emirati Burqa has a narrow top and a wide, curved bottom, and it’s mostly common in Abu Dhabi; its name is “Sabeel Cut.” 

2.     The Burqa worn in Al Ain has both the top and bottom cut into a narrow shape.

3.     In Zabeel and Sharjah, the plain simple burqa design is famous, but the top of the mask is raised to a bit forward side. 

4.     Bahraini women’s Burqa is a square Burqa while Qatari Burkha is quite large. 

5.     In Oman and Fujairah, the Burqa is quite large but wide at the top and has a tip that goes over the forehead. 

6.     In Saudi Arabia, the design is wholly different; these women wear a black scarf as a niqab to cover their faces and leave their eyes. 

These are just some of the designs; there can also be many other regional variations. 

Significance And Culture

The Burqa is seen as a symbol of modesty and dignity in Islam. The face veil is seen as a way of protecting women’s modesty, and these women are easily identified as Muslims. 

It is instilled in UAE’s culture, and Emirati females have been seen wearing it for centuries. However, the first time it got introduced in this region is still unknown. 

The significance of wearing it is not only restricted to Islam but is a mark of respect. Emirati women believe that covering their faces shows respect to men and protects their dignity. 

Wearing it is also seen as a way of maintaining social order. It is believed that if women do not cover their faces, it will lead to chaos and disorder in society. 

Also, Burqa is worn to official government meetings, which shows this traditional attire’s significance. 

Is It Compulsory To Wear Burqa In Islam

There is a lot of debate on whether it is compulsory for Muslim women to cover their faces or not. There are different schools of thought in Islam on this issue. 

Some people believe that if women do not cover their faces, they will be tempted to look at them, leading to immoral thoughts and actions. In some cultures, the Burqa is a way of protecting women from being harassed or attacked by men. 

On the other hand, some people believe that women should not cover their faces because it is a personal choice, and they should be free to do whatever they want. 

There is no clear consensus on this issue, and it is up to each woman to decide whether she wants to cover her face or not. 

Controversies And Fear Related To Burqa

UAE burqa tradition isn’t limited to this country; you can see lots of women wearing the Burqa in other Islamic countries. Besides Islamic states, Muslim women in western countries also wear the Burqa. 

You might have heard that western countries are quite liberal about women dressing, and there’s no restriction on what a woman should wear. 

But exceptions are always there; some people promote campaigns of fear and terror against the Burqa, and they might get personal benefits from it. But that has done quite a lot of damage to the concept of wearing a Burqa. 

So many people fear women who wear a burqa, considering them terrorists, but the picture always has another side. Wearing it is as simple as wearing any other outfit; the traditional Emirati version is just a part of their culture, which has nothing to do with extreme controversies. 

Difference Between Burqa And Jalabiya

You must have seen those long, colorful, floral, and patterned outfits in the markets of UAE. Are they similar to it, or is it something else? Let’s find out!

Burqa and Jalabiya are different traditional wears, worn on various occasions in different settings. 

The term burqa has so many concepts related to it; in Central Asia, it is something that covers a woman from head to toe. At the same time, Burqa in UAE is a face veil that Emirati women wear to cover their faces. 

Whereas Jalabiya is a different term, it’s a long, embellished, or decorated dress that women wear in female gatherings. They also wear Jalabiyas casually in their homes as these are their go-to-dressing.

Jalabiyas are quite loose and comfortable to wear; they are made of different fabrics like cotton, wool, and polyester and come in different colors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where to buy a burqa from?

There are many places where you can buy it from. You can go to the traditional markets in Dubai or Abu Dhabi and spot the best burqa shops in Dubai. You can also buy it online from websites like Amazon or eBay. 

When buying a burqa, make sure it is made of good quality fabric and comfortable to wear. It should also be easy to put on and take off. 

What is a burqa?

A burqa is a traditional Emirati garment that covers the face and body of a woman. It is usually made of black fabric and has a mesh panel in front of the eyes to allow the wearer to see. 

The Burqa is often worn by Emirati women when they are out in public or in the presence of men who are not their husbands. 

Why do Muslim women wear a Burqa?

There are many reasons why Muslim women choose to wear a burqa. Some believe it is a religious obligation, while others see it as a way to protect their modesty. 

Some women also wear a plain and simple burqa design to avoid being stared at or harassed by men. In some cultures, wearing a burqa is seen as a sign of respect for elders and authority figures. 

How to wear a burqa?

Wearing it is not as difficult as it may seem. The first step is to put on a headscarf or dupatta. That can be wrapped around the head in various ways, depending on the culture or tradition of the wearer. 

The next step is to put on the Burqa itself. Again, the fabric should be draped over the head, covering the face. Make sure the mesh panel should be positioned in front of the eyes. 

To sum it up, it is a traditional Emirati attire that women have worn for centuries. It is seen as a mark of respect and is a part of Emirati culture; a women’s Burqa looks graceful. So instead of believing in the controversies against it, you should try it out! Check the latest burqa styles in Dubai, get one, and look like an elegant Emirati woman.