6 Things You Didn’t Know About the Hijab

Behind the Veil

Contrary to the belief of many, the Hijab has a long and rich history across many cultural traditions. If you were to travel through countries in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and South Eastern Europe, you’d see a diverse range of Hijabs with different colors, patterns and prints and a unifying factor far bigger than the fashion itself – a modest woman, strong in her faith.

While many people outside the Islamic religion are familiar with the word Hijab, there are many misconceptions around the veil and the meaning behind wearing it. Ready to learn more? Here are six things you didn’t know about the Hijab.

The Veil’s History

The Hijab originated in pre-Islamic societies, representing an upper class status. In Mediterranean societies, women with wealth wore veils, prostitutes and slave women were prohibited from wearing the veil. Greek and Persian society followed similar rules. The Apostle Paul encouraged women to wear veils and his letter to the Corinthians said "For if a woman does not have her head veiled, she may as well have her hair cut off. But if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should wear a veil." Today, the veil also exists in other cultures and religions including Judaism and Christianity, mostly in conservative Catholic communities, and Anabaptists including the Amish and some Mennonite Christians.

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