I write with concern for fashion trends within the community adopted by Muslim females that Muslim scholars would tend to agree with, but this is not being seen by a growing number of Muslim females.

Firstly, the Shalwar Kameez has taken an unexpected turn, with the Kameez now being slit on both sides up to the upper hip.

This means with a light gust of wind the kameez flares, lifts and reveals the female body form, more much more, than Muslims women should allow themselves to be seen in relation to the requirements of Purdha.

Purdha obligates Muslim women not reveal their body form so that the shape of the body remains unseen. However, with this new trend in fasion, when the kameez is blown in the wind the female reveals, a tight shalwar, revealing in many cases the shape of the bum. This is not seen to be Islamic and should prompt Muslim tailors to change the style of fasion on the advice of Muslim scholars.

Secondly, the wearing of the head scarf. If women fix two buttons on their kameez, above their breasts, then attach one side of the head scarfe to them buttons to cover their breasts before wrapping it over their heads, that will prevent the form of the breasts bulging out and being seen by all around.

Both the above suggestions would be welcomed by religious scholars and many Muslim women themselves, because in respect of Purdha, they will prevent the form of the bum and the breasts being revealed.

NI

Brierfield