What do Muslim Women wear under the Burkah,?

Question

Jack Straw set us talking about this.
Is it something these ladies wear over normal clothes when going out in the way that I wear a coat or is it like their equivalent to skirt and blouse, or indeed their only garment like a nuns habit.
Do they take it off when indoors, could they take it off with an acceptable degree of modesty when talking to Jack Straw.
Any chance of a serious answer.

Answer 1

you would be surprised what they wear..i spent 6 years in Saudi Arabia and with out the veil or abiya they would not look out of place on any high street in the west

Answer 2

Yes they could take it off to a acceptable degree of modesty, but that degree of modesty deemed to be acceptable by us might not accepted by Muslims, so there is no reason for Jack Straw to request that Muslims remove their veil along with their religious identity.

However, for security purposes, it is essential that at certain places such as banks and airport checkpoints that people uncover their face for the general safety of others, it is then when religious "rights" should not impose onto other rights that are more universal. Unfortunately, none of us have the right to judge what is a universal right or value, we can only guess and hope for the best, and so far we are only pleasing the majority, not everyone.

Answer 3

Probably not. I've heard some stories, some of them from Muslim men, but I don't think this is the time or place to tell. There are enough problems at the moment and I'd be the last to stoke the fire. Jack Straw has been MP for Blackburn (West/East or whatever) for 30 years, what's got into the guy?
Muslim women do remove the chadoor in the privacy of their own homes, when only the family is present.

Answer 4

Some wear it as their only garment like nuns. Most do wear other clothes under there. Yes, they do take it off at home, as long as there's no other guy at their house that's outside the family. An uncle, brother, nephew or father is fine to be uncovered in front of, but not anything like a cousin or brother-in-law. Therefore, no, many of them wouldn't take it off when talking to Jack Straw. Some might take off some of it when talking to Jack Straw, but only with an acceptable degree of modesty like you said.

Answer 5

Muslim Women wear normal clothing like everyone else..the burkah is like a coat on top which covers the womens body...so that the body of a female is not attracted by the opposite sex.
Also yes it is taken off indoors..only towards her husband, son and father. (thats the only males that she can be with).

Answer 6

It is something they wear on top of normal clothes.

Of course they can take it off indoors (home) or where there are no men present. They only have to cover up in front of men who are not immediate family members.

Islam doesn't ask women to cover their faces, but some just choose to. It is a personal choice and you must give them some credit, as we all know it isn't an easy choice. But I feel that if their face needs to be seen for identification that should be fine.

Answer 7

They weat it as an overcoat when outside. In the home amongst other females or male family members they can wear 'normal' clothes. I presume that if a male non-relative entered the house, or if they wanted to pop outside they would merely put the burkha on over their clothes. Actually, a lot of muslim women, particularly from rich countries like Saudi Arabia, are very keen on fashion and can spend a large amount of money on clothes to wear in the house.

Answer 8

well think of a burqah like a full body coat. people still wear clothes under coats. not too many people wear those anymore though. most women now wear a hijab which is a veil that just shows there face. most women do take their gear off at their home if their immediate family is there (husband, kids) but put it on when anyone else comes over

Answer 9

They can (and do) wear whatever the hell they like.

My wife has worked for 'veiled' women in from families (here and in Saudi) and has some funny / amusing stories about them - including what they wear under the Burka.

The base line though is, that like you, me and everyone else - strange but true - these women are all naked underneath their clothing.

Sash.

Answer 10

As far as I know from my friends, the clothes underneath differ from person to person, according to age, tastes and so on. At home my Muslim friends are coquette, colour their hair, wear make-up and jeans. They can shop for hours to find the clothes they love to wear. At home they relax and shake off the covers. But when a man arrives, there's a general panic to cover up. It's in-bred, like our modern need to cover up our genital parts. We can get used to all sorts of blinkers and taboos because we are so eager to convene to social practice, which is not in-bred, but in-built !

Answer 11

the burka is an outer/over garment, it is worn over normal clothing. the burka is only worn outside of the house, or in the presence of un-related men whom she is allowed to marry.

the veil is either optional or obligatory dependin on which opinion the woman follows. many women view the face veil to be recomened to wear, as it protects her from being exploited.

the hijab must not be taken off in front of any unrelated man, if a woman wears the face veil this should also remain on. theres no difference between jack straw or any other man (unrelated).

People who a woman does not need to wear hijab in front of are: husband (obviously, she can uncover fully in front of him), father, brother, maternal nad paternal uncle, maternal and paternal gradnfather, nephew (from brother or sister), father in law, and young boys (children) who do not understand the shame of sex.
-- basically any man who she is permanantly NOT allowed to marry (and youg children).

[Edit].........and it actually not allwed for her to wear nothin under it, she must wear appropriate clothing underneat, as the burka is only an over-garment, not to replace the actual garment!