Textile

What is “Burka”

Last updated 26-Feb-2026 (6 months, 22 days ago)
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Two different items of traditional Islamic women's clothing are known as a burka, burqa or burqua.
One is a kind of veil which is tied on the head, over a headscarf, and covers the face except for a slit at the eyes for the woman to see through.


The other, which is also called a full burka or an Afghan burka and occasionally called a chador (????), is a garment which covers the entire body and face. The eyes are covered with a 'net curtain' allowing the woman to see but preventing other people from seeing her eyes.


Both kinds of burka are used by some Muslim women (as an interpretation of the hijab dress code) and the full burka was compulsory under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.


An attempt by students in The Netherlands to wear the burka in schools was forbidden because the school educates for professions where non-verbal communication (sometimes through facial expression) is required.

Additional definition by TGA Staff

Burka


Two different items of traditional Muslim women's clothing are known as a burqa, (sometimes misspelled as burka or burqua).

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