An abaya is a traditional Muslim garment that is used to cover the body of women who practice this religion. This garment consists of a kind of tunic that only reveals the face, that is to say, that covers from the shoulders to the feet.
This kind of tunic is made of some soft cloth, which is comfortable for the woman at all times. The most traditional color for the abaya is black, but this garment can be decorated in many colors and depending on the material of the decorations it can be determined to which social class the person belongs.
So, the important question is this: when should this garment be used? Before answering this question, it is necessary to understand the reason for the existence of the abaya.
The abaya was born as a unique garment to cover the woman, since in the scriptures of the Koran can be found a phrase where God asks men to cover their daughters, wives and believers of the Muslim religion, in order to that they can be recognized and can enjoy the compassion of said God.
In this sense, women who practice this religion should be covered at all times, and can only stop using the abaya when they are alone with their husbands. This garment is necessary in countries that have a high population of Muslims, as well as in some countries in northern Africa.
As for foreign women entering these countries, the use of the abaya is optional, but it tends to be used as a sign of respect for those cultures and their traditions. However, there are countries where the abaya is mandatory and all women must respect this condition.
This is often a very controversial issue in the world, since other cultures consider the abaya as a way in which the rights of women are repressed and where they are not treated with the same respect. It is very important to highlight the fact that each culture follows specific rules that they consider correct, so they should not be judged at any time.
If you want to know more information about the abaya, there are many websites with information about their origin and qualities.