Explainer: Why do Muslim women wear a burka, niqab or hijab?
[666 ABC Canberra] by James Vyver Updated (Thu Oct 02, 2014) 14:19:13 EST
PHOTO – Explained: The differences between the burka, niqab, hijab, chador and dupatta. (ABC News: Lucy Fahey)
It has been called a security risk and a “flag of fundamentalism”, there have been calls to ban it and it has been associated with terrorism.
So what exactly is the burka? And why do some Muslim women wear it?
Raihan Ismail is a lecturer in Middle East Politics and Islamic Studies at the Australian National University.
Dr Ismail spoke with 666 ABC Canberra to answer some common questions about the burka.
Why do some Muslim women wear burkas?
The Koran calls for both men and women to ‘cover and be modest’.
Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig 