Unusual Hair Product #JDP

I often see many products offered here in Saudi Arabia that I really haven't ever seen for sale in the US.  This one is a product specifically for women who cover their hair.  I had never really thought about the negative effects of wearing hijab before, but I guess the sweat, lack of exposure to the sun and fresh air could result in adverse effects on one's hair - and this product was made to help with that problem.   

Friendly Saudi Women

Our World: Modestly Dressed Dolls

I had been on the lookout for dolls dressed in abayas and scarves, as I hadn't seen them in a few years, so when I stumbled upon the motherlode at a local shop, I purchased several.  The dolls above are named Rahma and she is dressed modestly.  They are larger than a Barbie doll and aren't shaped like Barbies either.

The doll above is the Barbie-like Fulla doll.  Fulla is Islam's answer to the Barbie doll.  Here she wears an abaya (the black cloak) and a head scarf (hijab).

These Fulla dolls have colored scarves.  The one in the white jacket is meant to be a modestly dressed working woman.  The Fulla doll on the right in the striped skirt is dressed as she would be when not out in public.

This shop had a whole section of one wall stocked in these Islamically correct dolls.  They had a great selection.




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Jeddah: (Wo)MEN in Black

Women shoppers at the Red Sea Mall are all dressed in black cloaks called abayas.  In Jeddah one is likely to see a few women wearing different colored abayas, although the vast majority still wear black. Saudi women generally cover their hair with scarves called hijab, and many also cover their faces with veils called niqab. 

Our World: What Saudi Women Wear

 Even after five years of living here in Saudi Arabia, I'm afraid I am still not used to seeing women dressed in black cloaks from head to toe.  It still jars my senses - yet I am one of them!

These women are wearing the long black cloaks called abaya that all women in Saudi Arabia wear when out in public.  The two women on the outside wear a type of overhead abaya, which is all one piece and very loose, revealing absolutely none of the female form at all.  Most abayas that I've seen start at the neck and then the head scarf (hijab) is separate.   Many Saudi women also wear the niqab (veil) over their faces - although it might just be my imagination, but I feel like I am seeing more and more women without the veil lately.  The veil is not required by Islam.  Abayas with embellishments and colors are seen more commonly now too.  I wrote a post this past summer called "Embracing the Abaya" on my other blog, Susie's Big Adventure, with more photos of different abayas.  CLICK HERE TO READ IT.

Be sure to visit OUR WORLD TUESDAY, where family-friendly bloggers share a unique glimpse into what life is like all around our ever-amazing planet.