LETTER "A" FOR TODAY

STARTS WITH A - "ARABIC" (THIS IS ACTUALLY THE LETTER "S")

A FAVORITE - "ARCHITECTURE" (VERY SAUDI DETAILING)

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU! WISHING YOU WONDERFUL "ADVENTURES" IN 2021!

LINKING TO - THE WEEKEND ROUNDUP

 

Face Mask Truths

I think with everyone wearing face masks in this time of Covid, people who were previously leery or apprehensive about Muslim women who wear veils may have changed their tune a bit. One big complaint I used to hear was how the face veil (called niqab) would interfere with activities like driving or working.  The truth is, they just don't.  Another interesting result of wearing the masks is in how we can see that the eyes are so expressive by themselves and revealing of one's mood.  I have always been able to tell just from a niqabi's eyes that she is smiling at me or saying hello.  So I'm glad for this unintended teaching moment due to worldwide face masking.  

Shopping for Veils at the Souk

While most Saudi women who wear the face veil called "niqab" usually wear black,  they do come in a variety of colors.  I once ran into a friend of mine who was wearing all pink - a pink face veil, a matching pink head scarf, and a totally pink abaya.  She had to whisper her name to me because I wouldn't have recognized her otherwise!

City Daily Photo is an online community of photo bloggers that share images of life in their cities around the world.  The first of every month is Theme Day  for City Daily Photo bloggers.  This month's theme is "Shopping."  Be sure  to visit the City Daily Photo portal to view other participants' entries for today's theme day.

Our World - Incognito

While many women in Saudi Arabia have dispensed with their veils and some are even letting their hair down, others are still clinging to what they are used to and are comfortable with - being fully covered in public places.  These women were also wearing black gloves the entire time in this restaurant, considered by some to be rather extreme.  They all ate with the veils on, which can't be easy to do. I've seen other veiled women in restaurants who remove the veils when they eat and then put them back on when they are finished.  As far as I understand, there is nothing in Islam that requires women to cover their faces or their hands specifically.  There are, of course, many differences in interpretations as to how modest women should appear when in public.

These women are waiting patiently for a table in a popular restaurant on a weekend. Eating out has become very trendy here, like in many places around the globe. 

Even though they are veiled, their personalities and friendliness shine through.

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.

Our World: Yanbu Festival Face Painting

Here is another scene from the 2017 Yanbu Flowers and Gardens Annual Festival happening now through April 7th. Like children everywhere, Saudi kids too enjoy having their faces painted for special occasions or events.  This scene could take place just about anywhere around the world - the only difference being that the face painting artist is totally veiled in black and even wears black gloves.



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.

Our World: Saudi Arabia Eating While Veiled

Wearing the face veil (called niqab) in Saudi Arabia can present some challenges for women. One problem is breathing, especially when it's so hot and humid.  I've noticed that the veil is sometimes sucked inward toward the nostrils and mouth when the woman takes a breath.  Another challenge is eating or drinking in public while wearing the veil.  I've seen some women remove their veils in restaurants so they can eat and then when they are done, they put their veils back on.  I've also observed women lifting the veil with one hand and feeding themselves with the other hand, as the woman in this photo is demonstrating.  I'm such a messy eater that I'm sure the inside of my niqab would look like a dirty napkin if I ate while wearing 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.

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.