SOC 885 Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Clothing, Purdah
Document Summary
Ignoring the fact that women all over the world face problems due to patriarchal barriers. The origins of the veil: historically, veiling was a sign of status and practiced in the greco-roman, pre-islamic. Muslims adopted the veil and seclusion from the earlier people. Today veil is known as an islamic phenomenon that is assumed to be sanctioned by the quran. But nowhere is the veiling mentioned or even discussed in the holy quran: there are two qur"anic verses that are interpreted in different ways. 30-31 recommends that women cover their bosoms and jewelry, whereas surah al-ahzab verse 59 recommends to the wives of prophets to wrap their cloaks so they are recognized and not molested in public. Seclusion is also referred to as purdah, meaning women should be covered and protected especially from unknown men or men who are not relatives.
