Shayla Explained

Shayla (Arabic: شيلة) is an Islamic headgear worn by some Muslim women in the presence of any male outside of their immediate family. It is different from a khimar, because it is usually wrapped and pinned. Sometimes it is worn in the form of a half niqab with part of the face still appearing.[1]

It is traditionally worn by some women in Saudi Arabia and other Arab states of the Persian Gulf.[2]

Cultural significance

It's often worn by Indo-Pakistani women. Many of them don't wear it because of the Islamic obligation of women to wear a headscarf, but as a cultural symbol. The shayla has a lot of meaning to the Pashtuns especially.

See also

Notes and References

  1. The Art of Arabian Costume: A Saudi Arabian Profile . Heather Colyer Ross. 1993. 188 pag.
  2. Web site: Of style and modesty: The different kinds of hijab. gmanetwork.com. February 2014 .