An abaya is a women's garment worn in Saudi Arabia. It is a long-sleeved, floor-length loose garment worn over other clothing when a woman leaves the protection of home. It is worn with a headscarf (hijab) and sometimes with a veil (niqab).
Saudi religious police enforce the wearing of abaya and hijab on all women, even foreigners. Those rules however do not apply in some areas. (See Dhahran for example)
Other Muslim countries have their own versions of Muslim modest dress for women: see burka and chador.
See also
Last updated: 10-21-2005 14:52:15