Abu Moslem dress

Moslem robe with a model made from rayon spandex jersey fabric combined with the more floral tile beautify this robe.

Muslim women started wearing hijabs or other head coverings centuries ago in order to keep in step with the modesty taught by their religion. However, with the passage of time, people started embracing the westernized way and covering the head no longer remained the center of focus for a number of Muslim women. Some named it liberation, others named it modernization. However, when a few years ago the Non Muslim world created a misconception about hijabs symbolizing radicalism. At that point, a vast majority of Muslimahs become more conscious of restoring their religious as well as ethnic identities and reverted back to the use of head coverings for themselves. Today regardless of what country they are in, Muslim women globally have embraced more modest ways of dressing including the use of jilbabs, abayas and most of all hijabs.

There are a number of famous Muslim women that also endorse the fact that covering the head is not a sign of oppression or fundamentalism. In reality, these women cover their heads to please Allah swt, who is the creator of the entire mankind. From news anchors to political activist, scholars to scientists, a large number of famous Muslim women proudly wear their hijabs in public and feel more confident while covering their heads.

Islamic beacons such as Khadeejah, who was a famous businesswoman during the prophet's time and later became his wife; Fatimah, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH); Asma bint Abu Bakr, the daughter of one of the closest friends of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), are the paragons for Muslim women. However, they were much later followed by powerful women such as Zaynab-al-Ghazali, who is an Egyptian Islamic Activist. She strongly supports the rights of Muslim women including their right to dress conservatively. Maryum Jameelah is another prime example of the modern women supporting headscarves. Maryum was the first American Jewish woman to convert to Islam. She then followed the teachings of Islam to the core and in addition wrote numerous books about the concepts of Islam. Her work is well read and appreciated equally by Muslims and non Muslims around the world. The former president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Mrs. Elkadi, is another prime example of a modern day muslimah who is never seen without hijabs. She actively worked for ISNA and promoted modesty and decency for the young Muslim women living in America.

These are just a few examples of the current day Muslim women who are neither afraid nor ashamed to wear hijabs in all circumstances. In fact they wear them with pride and feel honored to be educated and successful women that can make an impact on others as well as lead by example. As more success stories are publicized about women in hijabs, it will have a great and positive impact on the next generation, promoting the feelings of morality and uprightness about Islam!

Sohail Khan works for Islamic Impressions which specializes in retail and wholesale products for the Islamic market and stocks a wide range of hijabs including the latest Palestinian design hijabs available in a wide range of colors

Tosca Muslim Dress

Muslim fashion model with a tunic made from rayon spandex jersey coupled with the brocade in the chest and stitching color opnesel kakhy in the abdomen that would give the impression when you wear thin.

Islamic tradition calls for clothes that retain the modesty of the woman. Thus, clothes that cover a woman's body from head to toe are preferred by Muslim women. Traditionally, Muslim women have worn plain and dark colored, long, loose garments accompanied by a head scarf so that only their face, or in some cases only the eyes, are visible. However, over the years, the urge to become fashionable without compromising on their modesty has made Muslim women demand stylish clothing. Fashion Designers from across the world have responded and designed Islamic clothes that are stylish, have a western look and yet conform to the Islamic tradition and customs.

Trends in Islamic Clothing
The urge to become fashionable without compromising with their religious values has made Muslim women look out for clothes that look elegant, and are beautifully designed and attractive at the same time. The traditional plain colored Islamic clothes have given way to colored Jilbabs and their matching hijabs. Not only this, the designers have started using embroidery, motifs, beads and other material to decorate such clothes, including Jilbabs and Abayas. The attractively designed Islamic clothing has caught the attention of non Muslim women too. International sports goods company, Nike, has introduced an athletic jilbab to be worn by women while playing volleyball.

Islamic Clothing: Types
Muslim men and women wear clothes that cover their body and are modest. Some of the major types of Islamic clothing are:

1.The Abaya is a loose black robe worn along with a niqab or a face veil, covering the lower part of the face (up to the eyes). Long black gloves are usually worn to cover the hands under the Abaya.
2.The Boshiya is an Islamic full black veil, which is meant to cover the face completely including the eyes.
3.The Burqua is a loose outer garment, usually accompanied by a veil that has holes for the eyes. It is worn over one's normal clothing, such as a salwar kameez.
4.The Chador is a head covering used by Muslim women.
5.The Hijab is a headscarf that conceals the hair and neck, and usually has a veil that covers the face.
6.The Jilbab essentially covers the entire body except for the face, hand, feet and head. However, it is teamed up with a scarf to cover the head.
7.The Niqab covers the lower part of a person's face.
8.The Bisht and Kaftan are cloaks for Muslim men.
9.The Keffiyeh or Ghutra is a traditional headdress worn by Muslim men.

A wide range of Islamic clothing, including Hijabs and Jijlabs, is offered by EastEssence, a leading seller of men's and women's clothing. The company is known for its modern yet modest styles and affordable prices.

Muslim Bress Violet

Moslem robe with a model made from rayon spandex jersey with lace accents under the chest beautify this robe.

Outfits that are approved for use in different religions are of great significance for that particular faith. The Jewish clothing incorporates prayer shawl also known as the "Taleth", the tassels attached to the shawl or coat worn by orthodox Jews known as the "Tzitzit" and the "Kippah" or skull cap worn at all times by observant Jewsish men. Similarly the Christian clothing is worn by members of the church and clergy and consists of a long robe in somber colours with the collar type distinguishing the rank of the person. However, Islamic clothes are supposed to be worn by all Muslims regardless of their social or economic status.

The different types of Islamic clothes are based on the region that they most commonly originate from, but Muslims all around the world are seen in similarly designed Islamic clothes. The most common types of clothing worn by Muslims include:

Abayas and Jilbabs: Worn by Muslim women, this form of Islamic clothes consists of a loose fitting long robe that covers the entire body from the shoulder to the ankle or toe. Most commonly made of a thick black wrinkle free fabric, it is worn over a layer of casual clothes. Most jilbabs are open in the front and allow the wearer with the ease of putting it on and buttoning it up. They often resemble the western overcoat worn in the harsh winter time to protect against the cold weather, but is made of different fabrics. Certain abayas have a small rope attached to the end of the sleeve, which is swirled around the middle finger to keep the sleeves from rolling up when the arms are raised.

Hijabs: This is by far the most popular Islamic clothes article available worldwide. It is worn by all Muslim women with a number of types of outfits. It consists of a scarf or headwear that covers the hair and wraps around the face. The hijab can be worn with western outfits, eastern outfits or any other form of Islamic clothes, as it is mandatory for women to cover their heads in Islam.

Jubbas: The classical robe worn by Muslim men, the jubbas originated in the Arabic region. Initially worn in the desserts to protect the body from the intense heat, it has become an integral part of the religion. Today it is worn my men all around the world in particular for special Islamic events and occasions.

Kuffiyah: The headdress for Muslim men, it consists of a scarf draped over the head and shoulders. It is occasionally tied around the circumference of the head with a thick rope like cord to keep it secure in place.

These are the most frequently seen kinds of Islamic clothes worn by Muslims all around the world. Certain changes can be seen based on the region that they are worn in. These changes include styles and fabric choice based on the weather and other external factors.

Sohail Khan works for Islamic Impressions which specialises in retail and wholesale products for the Islamic market and stocks a wide range of baby Islamic clothes, including jilbabs and jubbas to buy online or in our stores in London, Birmingham, Denmark and Trinidad.