Coverings Part 2: Rectangle Scarves

To be honest I find rectangle scarves the easiest to wrap in a hijab style, and the most comfortable. However if you are a non-muslim trying to identity with hijab as little as possible, the rectangle scarf may be worn in a classic way, similar to the square scarf in the previous post. From Angelina Jolie to Condolezza Rice, the rectangle scarf draped loosely over the head, with one end, or both tossed casually over the shoulder is both chic and casual. If you want something more secure, draw the ends tighter or knot them either in the front or the back.
These styles only work for lightweight, silky and gauzy scarves. The warmer or thicker ones, such as pashminas are better for hijab, however the black and white photos show a pashmina-like scarf worn around the head, as is my picture with the grey pashmina.

There are a million ways to wear rectangle scarves as hijab, so I won’t go into that – personally I never use pins and go with a no-fuss style, but that's just me - if you want to look at different styles of hijab there are many many sites exploring different styles! Go crazy! :)

Coverings Part 1: Square scarves

Hi ladies!
well I decided to post some pictures of head coverings.. as a newbie headcover-er the most helpful part pf covering was look a pictures of people's coverings.

As I started sorting through pictures however I realised there were too many for one post, s I have broken them up into sepeare posts:

1. Square scarves
2. Rectangle scarves
3. Beanies, Hats & Hoodies
4. Headwraps
5. Al amirah, veils and ready-made coverings

The list is by no means exhaustive - I have just posted pictures and comments of the styles I wear and prefer. There are many sites for Christian, Islamic and Jewish covering, which I urge you all to check out!

I have blanked out my face in my pics because I feel the odd picture or two is something, but too many and you risk turning a blog into Facebook/Myspace, and unlike my Facebook, which is set to private anyone can see and use my pics! So this is not because I distrust my blog-friends and followers, or have huge modesty concerns over people seeing my face :)
ok so...


Part 1: Square Scarves

While rectangle scarves are in many ways more versatile and easy to wear, the square scarf (folded into a triangle) is a classic and more western look. From Audrey Hepburn to Grace Kelly, the square scarf has been worn with elegance and modesty.
Knotted under the chin, behind the neck, or to the side, it is worn in the snowy streets of Moscow to the sunny coast of Italy (paired with big sunglasses!)

I particularly like the bigger scarves, and the style of tying them so the knot is not visible and it sits further out, rather than under the chin. This tends to frame the face, making it look more delicate and slim. It also feels cosy and protectice, especially in winter!

Italian Chic

The next style also has jewish ties (indeed the model pictures here were from a jewish covering business). I think similiar styles have been called the "Jerusalem style" before.
The basic step is to tie the two end behind the neck. This style can also be worn like a western bandand, simply vary the scarf size for the amount of coverage.

'The Pony'

'The Butterfly'

My blessed week: the Muslim and the Jew

I'm Hap-hap happy! and here's why...

Part 1: the Jew
An old friend of mums, whose daughter went to school with my younger brother, dropped by today. I went to a new gymn this morning and she was there so I told her to swing by and say hi to mum, but as it turn out Mum was just leaving when I got home.
This lady, N. is not a close friend, but someone we see every couple of years.
Last August she dropped by when my father passed away and we started chatting about religion.
I should mention that N is jewish and her father is a holocaust survivor. Her aunty wrote a book about being a child in Bergen-Belsen a german cncentration camp and ironically one that my grandfather accompanied the army to liberate.
Anyway N. was saying how her studies of the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah and Jesus were interesting. She said how the rabi and people at synagogue dislike discussing certain verses and their dismissive explanations did not satisfy her. She is able to read Hebrew, so she can study scripture in the original language. She believed they confirmed Jesus was the Messsiah, died on the cross and was resurrected.
At that point she had never heard the term 'messianic jew' and I explained that it referred to Jews who believe Jesus is the messiah, rather than calling them christians, it allowed them to retain their jewish identity.
As usual she dropped out of contact until I saw her today! When she called in only an hour ago, although Mama wasn't home, she stopped by for little while, and announced that she had been baptised and is now a messianic Jew!!
Praise God!!

Part 2: the Muslim
I originally just wanted to share my excitement over N, but then I realised a second part to this would be H! Just over a week ago my saudi friend, 'George' rang me to say that another saudi (a student) had become Christian!
George, his wife and 3 children are saudi arabian and Christian! George converted whilst in Saudi Arabia and fled after being persecuted. His wife decided to accompany him, in the hope she could lead him back to Islam, but ended up accepting Christ herself.
They and H. are coming for dinner on Saturday, so my family and I will get to hear his story, and the next day we are going to his baptism.


So in just over a week I have seen a (saudi) muslim and a jew come to Christ! It is amazing how God works! Hallelujah!

Secondly, please please pray for both of them:

H - Will be sure to encounter opposition from friends and family, especially when he returns to Saudi. It will be very dangerous. He is also having visa problems, please pray he is able to continue studies here, the saudi government may also try and prevent this.Pray for continued spiritual growth and faith in the face of persecution.

N- To continue to grow in faith and understanding, to have a strong, personal relationship with God. She has not yet told any of her family, and doesn't know how to tell them, especially those who are holocaust survivors, such as her aunty. They are likely to view it as a betrayal to the jewish people and to family members who died in the Holocaust. Pray for guidance.

Middle Eastern Taxi Driver

No, I'm not talking about a potential arab remake of the Scorsese film... I'm talking about the Gulf Taxi Driver.

He is usually non-arab, or from another arab country (God forbid a local drive a taxi!! *Gasp*)
He may be grubby or clean. Most likely he will have a beard or stubble.
But most of all he is distinguished from his western counterpart by the fact that he will ask personal questions straight out (which isn’t really done in Australia.)

What’s more I find that almost always the first questions are always the same, and asked in the same order, as follows:
“Where are you from?”
“Are you married?”
“How old are you?”
Possible additional questions may include: “What religion are you?” and “Are you looking for a husband?”

And as sleezy and unprofessional as some of them may be, they may also be endearing, informative and entertaining.
A special mention goes to an indian driver I had in Dubai, called Khaled, who was an absolute darling and invaluable when it came to dealing with emirati customs at the cargo place!!