I noticed that black african Muslim women don't wear headscarfs as often as their Arabic counterparts. I just wondered why that was the case.

A turkish girl at my school explained to me that she didn't wear headscarf because she was an Alevitic Muslim (Maybe i used the incorrect term as I have translated it from Dutch) She said that they believed that in the days of Muhammed women were often harassed and raped...so his wifes wore headscarf to show that they were his wives, so that they would be left alone. Others copied this, but wearing headscarfs was not a commandment from God or something.

Do black/african muslim women have a similar reason? Do they interpret the Qur'an differently and therefor don't wear it.

Ijeoma,

The thing that I find so weird about some of the Muslim women--especially the young ones is that they are a mix of traditional/untradtional Muslim. What I mean by that is that they may wear their hijab or veil, but some fo them also be wearing Stelletos, long skirts, but with a mile long split on the back or some really tight pants. Sometimes I find this a little odd and i'm like "wow, are Muslim women permitted to be both. I asked because I was always taught that they are supposed to be modest dressers and that for women who wear the hijab and their other clothes , they wore it because they felt that exposure of the skin is inappropiate in the eyes of Allah.

I've even asked one girl about that. I only studied the Koran for a very brief period of time, but she didn't wear her headscarf because she just did't want to( but her folks are traditional Somalis and they always want their little girl to wear. If they only knew). I don't know every muslim woman reason for it, but far as this women it's her personal choice.

@cee cee

you ar right it does come down to personal choice...I myself wouldnt wear one cos I dont believe that being a muslim come down to growing a beard (for men) or wearing the hijab...its all about modesty in the society I live in in the UK I am modest without the need to cover my hair.

i think this is an interesting topic..the truth is i usually dont see many african american/african muslims who wear headscarves. However during the recent years i believe there has been a small increase...

i do have opinion on this though..maybe ill share later after several people have posted

hmmmm

are you sure about the statment *black muslim women do not cover their hair more than Arabs*

one word

Somalia

I am from Sudan/Niger.........and some do some don't

now me, my mum, my sister do not wear hijab, 3 of my cousins do

it is a choice, that is what my dad told me, but it can be open to interpretation.

some undercover hot gals wear hijab too smoking-devil

offtopic.gifbut weird thing i have noticed is that of the few black women in headscarf/hijab that I have come across, theyhave been very unfriendly.Even if i am covered up, not showing any cleavage or leg and not wearing tight clothes and I smile at them, I have received some looks like i am not worthy to be smiled back at, as I am not a Muslim, therefore i do not know the truth or whatever..... and they go about their way with this holier than thou look on their face!

I have nothing but respect for them though, it's all good. At least they are carrying themselves with pride and dignity.

I cant say I can relate to this thread. All the black women from my home country wear hijab. But I have noticed that West Africans dont really wear hijaab. My friend told me that they (like many other muslims) do not think it is important for women to cover their hair.

My friend is from Senegal but I have never seen any westafrican wearing a traditional islamic hijaab. I have to say thoughthat most West Africans have a done a great job finding a balance between Islam and their culture. I.e. they have not been arabized. Same thing goes for South East Asians (indonesians, malaysians etc.).