as thealamira, is a two-piece veil that also includes a scarf. There is also theniqab, a more
extensive veil that leaves an area open only around the eyes. However, most controversy
has been generated by theburqa, which consists of a robe covering the entire body and
veils over the entire face of the woman. Even the eyes are covered with the exception of
a mesh screen that allows the woman to see what is in front of her. These coverings, par-
ticularly the ones over the entire face, have been a point of contention in some non-
Muslim countries. For the last decade in many European nations, there have been govern-
ment attempts to ban the veils from being worn in public places.^31 France took the first
step in this debate with the bold action of banning Muslim head scarves and other so-
called religious symbols from classrooms.^32 Attempts at outlawing the veils have even
come to North America, where“Lawmakers in Quebec are pushing a bill that would
deny public services—including health care and education—to Muslim women who
wear theniqab.”^33 And in the United States, the issue of dress for Muslim women has
even found its way to a location that in many ways is an icon of the United States—Dis-
neyland. A young woman received an internship to work at Disneyland without having
to be interviewed for the position. When she appeared for her first day of employment,
she was wearing ahijab.Shewastoldtoremovethehijab. She refused and was relegated
to a room at Disneyland where she had no contact with park visitors. The woman took
legal action against Disneyland.
Muslim men, like the women, have attire that differs from that seen in the West. And
like the attire of women, there is often a link between religion and dress. The traditional
apparel for men in Arabic nations would“include a long loose robe called adishdashaor
thobeand a headpiece, a white clothkaffiyabanded by a blackegalto secure it.”^34 The
subtlety of color in garments“tells others”
about an individual’sstatusandaffiliation.
An all-whitekaffiyameans that the person
wearing the headpiece has not yet made
the pilgrimage to Mecca.Clothing can convey a
variety of aspects, such
as identity, group
affiliation, religious
preference, and
individuality.
REMEMBER THIS
Attire is often used to establish one’s cultural identity.© Susan Van Etten/PhotoEdit306 CHAPTER 9•Nonverbal Communication: The Messages of Action, Space, Time, and Silence
Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).