Visiting a Masjid, Need Head-Covering

[ramama]

Well, I don't *need* it, but they prefer it according to their visitor information. I am taking a comparative religions class, and am required to visit two sites. Anyway, I am not Muslim, therefore have no idea what one uses to cover. I imagine I can make one, can any one give me info on that (like what material and what size, how to wear it?) Thanks!

[Liquesce]

Originally Posted by ramama

Well, I don't *need* it, but they prefer it according to their visitor information. I am taking a comparative religions class, and am required to visit two sites. Anyway, I am not Muslim, therefore have no idea what one uses to cover. I imagine I can make one, can any one give me info on that (like what material and what size, how to wear it?) Thanks!

Go to Target, Kohl's, someplace like that and hit the women's accessories department. You're looking for a scarf (woven, not knitted) of a not-too-heavy/not-very-sheer material that's probably either a rectangle about a minimum of 15" by 60" or so (up to just about any size), or a square that's about 35" by 35" or larger. (You can try smaller ... those are just the minimum dimensions I stick to to ensure neck coverage on myself; your mileage may vary.)

As for how to wear ... a rectangular scarf could be sort of like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGYCe...eature=related (you can skip the bonnet scarf, I'd use a safety pin at the neck rather than a straight pin personally, and if you don't have a bun to wrap the end of the scarf around you can just tuck it down into your shirt or bring it across your chest and pin to the opposite shoulder)

A square scarf works a little better more like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYjRLv9DtJU

Enjoy your visit.

ETA: And I don't mean you should feel all too concerned about "looking Muslim" at all ... it's just a lot easier to link to youtube videos than to try to explain the million and one different ways for a person to affix a scarf to their head. So don't sweat it too much ... a lot of visitors who bother at all just drape a scarf and fidget with it the whole time they're there, and that's fine too.

[umsami]

You could also call them up and see if they have some hijabs for visitors to borrow. Some masjids do, or they can at least have a Sister (woman member) bring in one for you. If you let them know ahead of time, they can also usually have somebody meet you and sort of escort you. It can be nice if you don't know what's going on.

Basically any scarf will work. Probably the easiest is a square scarf... and you fold in half (like a triangle), and then pin it under your chin. You can also go all Grace Kelly and tie it. http://www.greatestlook.com/techniques/kelly_scarf.html

I'd also wear long sleeves and long pants/skirt.

If you have any questions, just ask.