The burqa is a complex garment with deep historical roots beyond modern religious debates.

Cultures · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Often viewed solely through a contemporary political lens, the burqa has a history that predates Islam, spanning ancient Byzantine, Persian, and Biblical cultures. While some modern states ban it for security, others see it as a symbol of piety, modesty, or even a tool for political protest.

The burqa, or harabah, is an enveloping garment that covers both body and face. While often associated with Islam, historical evidence shows face veiling existed long before the faith. Ancient sources, including the 1st-century geographer Strabo and the 3rd-century Christian writer Tertullian, document women in Persia and Arabia veiling their faces. Biblical figures like Tamar and Rebecca are also described as covering their faces, suggesting the practice was once a customary way to signal status or identity across diverse ancient societies.

Within Islamic jurisprudence, the status of the burqa remains a subject of intense debate. Most contemporary scholars and jurists agree that face covering is not a religious requirement. While some interpretations of Quranic verses like 24:31 and 33:59 emphasize modesty and security, they do not prescribe a specific dress code. Historically, opinions varied among the four major schools of law; for instance, medieval Hanbali and Shafi'i jurists often considered the face part of a woman's intimate areas, or awra, while Hanafi and Maliki scholars generally held that the face and hands need not be covered.

In the modern era, the garment has become a flashpoint for legislation. Numerous countries, including France, Austria, and Sri Lanka, have enacted bans in public spaces, often citing security concerns or the need to uphold secular values. Conversely, some women adopt the burqa as a personal expression of faith or cultural identity. The garment's meaning is further complicated by its use in protest, such as when Australian Senator Pauline Hanson wore one in the Senate to advocate for a ban, and its adoption by a small group of Haredi Jewish women in Israel as a symbol of extreme piety.

The physical style of the garment also varies significantly by region. The Afghan chadaree, for example, features a concealing net over the eyes and comes in different colors depending on the city, whereas the Indian burqa is typically a slim black cloak. Whether worn under legal compulsion, as seen during Taliban rule in Afghanistan, or as a voluntary act of devotion, the burqa remains a multifaceted symbol that defies simple categorization.

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