Terms and Topics
Abaya: A black over-garment, either a large square of fabric draped from the shoulders or head or a long caftan. It is the traditional form of Islamic dress for women in many countries of the Arabian peninsula, and it is sometimes adopted in other parts of the Islamic world. The abaya covers the whole body except the face, feet, and hands. It can be worn with the niqab (see p. 207), a face veil covering all but the eyes. Some women also wear black gloves to cover their hands.
‘Abd: The Arabic word for slave (see Slavery), sometimes also used to designate black people. At the present time, this word appears most commonly in personal names, on the pattern of ‘Abd Allah (Abdullah), “the slave of God.” In this, the word Allah may ...
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