Abayas
The meaning of Abaya
The abaya "cloak" (Arabic: عباية ʿabāyah or عباءة ʿabā'ah, plural عبايات ʿabāyāh) is an overgarment worn by some women in parts of the Islamic world. It could be described as a long-sleeve robe-like dress. It is the traditional form of hijab, or Islamic dress, for many countries of the Arabian peninsula such as Saudi Arabia or United Arab Emirates, where it is the national dress.Traditional abayat are black and may be either a large square of fabric draped from the shoulders or head or a long caftan. The abaya covers the whole body except the face, feet, and hands. It can be worn with the niqāb, a face veil covering all but the eyes. Some women choose to wear long black gloves, so their hands are covered as well.
The usage of the term Abaya refers to any long and loose-fit coat or garment worn by Muslim women, other terms which have same meaning are jelbab, galabeya, caftan and Djellaba.Many Muslim countries have the restriction of wearing Jilbab / Abaya. However, there is not any restriction to wear Hijab or Abaya / Jilbab in many Islamic countries but Muslim women wear Julbab / Abaya and Hijabs to practice Islamic Clothing.
Saudi Arabia requires women to cover in public. Covering is enforced by the religious police. In Iran the cover is often referred to as a Chador. In South Asia, it is known as a Burqa.In Canada, United States of America and in many European countries, Muslims and New Muslims are wearing these Jilbabs, Abayas, Hijabs or Muslim Veils to practice Islamic Clothing. In some European contrirs, these Muslims or New Muslims women are facing banes, terror and opposition for wearing Hijabs, Islamic Veils in public places. But they want to keep practicing this Islamic Clothing.
Abaya are known by various names like "Abata", "Abayat", "Jilbab", "Burqa" but serve the same purpose, which is to cover. Contemporary models are usually caftans, cut from light, flowing fabrics like crepe, georgette, and chiffon. Styles differ from region to region: some abayat have embroidery on black material while others are brightly coloured and have different forms of artwork across them.
