Covering the Moon: An Introduction to Middle Eastern Face Veils

Description

The subject of veiling and face veil is one of the most controversial topics in the media and the public domain today. Most people, especially politicians and journalists in both Muslim and non-Muslim societies, seem to have a strong opinion about it. Many books and articles have been written about the question as to why women wear a face veil and whether or not it represents a form of oppression. In contrast, there is very little information about the veils themselves, the various types and the regional variations. This book describes and illustrates the history of face veils, from its pre-Islamic origins to the present day. It tells about the many regional variations, from Morocco in the far west to Central Asia in the northeast. It emphasizes the role of face veils as a form of dress and identity, rather than a garment that conceals an individual's persona. Review: Covering the Moon uncovers women's face veils - This book is a wonderful introduction to face coverings in North Africa and the Middle East and some other parts of Dar al-Islam. I am especially interested in the early and late medieval periods and found this book very helpful in expanding my understanding. Review: Marvelous Book - Billed as an introduction to face veils, this book is actually very thorough in its discussion of the subject. It incorporates historical drawings, pattern drawings, as well as photos of veils, and of women wearing veils of various types. This book is a must read for the scholar, as well as the costumer. However, I do have one criticism. In the introduction to the chapter on the Maghreb, the authors give a brief historical overview of Muslim Spain, which was called al-Andalus. The authors are mistaken in assuming that the extent of al-Andalus was the same as present day Andalusia, namely southern Spain. Such was not the case. Al-Andalus was the name applied to the entire Iberian Peninsula, under the Muslims. The Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula began in 711 C.E., and by 750 C.E., they controled nearly all of the Iberian Peninsula. Only Galicia, in the far north was not under Muslim control. Muslim control extended over the Pyrenees, and across southern France. The Muslim advance had only been curtailed by the Battle of Poitiers in 732 C.E., in which the Muslims were defeated by Christian armies. By 1000 C.E., the Muslims had retreated from France, and about 1/4 of Spain and 1/3 of Portugal had been reconquered by the Christians. However, this left 3/4 of Spain and 2/3 of Portugal still constituting al-Andalus. The authors mention only the rule of Abd al-Rahman III (912-961 C.E.). The Emirate had been proclaimed in 756 C.E., by Abd al-Rahman, and endured until 961 C.E.. The Reconquista (Reconquest) continued over the years, until the fall of Kingdom of Granada in 1492. I am surprised that the authors of such a scholarly book would not have checked their history sources as carefully, as their garment sources.