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A niqāb (Arabic نِقاب) is a veil which covers the face, worn by some Muslim women as a part of sartorial hijāb. It is popular in the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf but it can also be found in North Africa, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Nomenclature Women who wear the niqāb are often called niqābī; this word is used both as a noun and as an adjective. However, some prefer the participial form munaqaba (plural munaqabāt) as "niqabi" may be used in a derogatory manner (much as with "hijabi" versus muhajaba) Niqab in Islam The niqāb is regarded differently by the various maðāhab (schools of Islamic jurisprudence). Some see it as fard (obligatory) or mustahab (recommended), while others see it as neither. Forms There are innumerable styles of niqāb and other facial veils worn by Muslim women around the world. There are two very common forms which are found all over the world: Other less common and more cultural or national forms of niqāb are as follows: Other common styles of clothing popularly worn with a niqāb in Western countries include: Most munaqabāt also wear an overgarment (jilbab, abaya etc.) over their clothing. Politics The niqab has had a significant role for women in the West Bank during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many Palestinian women, especially students, have worn white niqabs during protests of Israel's actions.** These women often wear green banners with Arabic messages in them. Female candidates from the Hamas party in the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections campaigned in niqabis, even in photographs. * Sultaana Freeman gained national attention in 2003 when she sued the state of Florida for the right to wear a niqab for her driver's license photo.*. However, a Florida appellate court ruled that there was no violation in requiring her to show her face. In 2005, a non-Muslim student at Eastern Michigan University spent a semester wearing a niqab (although she incorrectly called it a burqa). Her experience showed that Muslim dress is disapproved of in the United States.* The debate over the wearing of the niqab has reached prominence in the UK after comments by Jack Straw, MP in October 2006. This was further inflamed by extensive media coverage of the case of a teaching assistant in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, who lost her appeal against suspension from her job for wearing the niqab while teaching English to young children whose first language is different. It was decided that being unable to see her face, prevented the children from being taught effectively. The niqab is outlawed in the Muslim countries of Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt. See also | |||||||
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