1) First of all, A 3abaya is considered traditional. So wearing it outside the country is as bizarre as a Japanese woman wearing a Kimono in Egypt and a Korean lady strutting about in the Amazon wearing a Hanbok. Wearing something both cultural and traditional has no purpose if it's not in your home country.
2) The sight of women covered from head to toe in black is physically jarring for foreigners. Their media portrays us as terrorists who eat babies, so let's at least ditch the black so they don't run to their children's side every time we swoop past.
3) Please note that this is a blog post about not wearing a 3aba when traveling, not about not wearing the sheila or hijab. Wear the sheila, cover up! you can do ALL those things WITHOUT wearing a 3abaya. It's not linked to our religion. It's not a sin if you don't wear it. It's just lightweight, and convenient for covering our bodies. that's it.
4) It doesn't make you better than people if you do wear it while traveling. So if you catch sight of a girl not wearing a 3aba in a foreign country it doesn't mean you've suddenly caught wind of a scandal. You don't have to look so smug, or mentally scream with your eyes that she's a slut. Not unless she's abandoned all connection with her religion and is gallivanting about in short shorts, then you can think whatever you want.
5) 3abaya's are pretty, long, elegant, and usually reach down to the floor. This is OK for when you are living in the UAE and it's too hot to walk anywhere on foot. The only places you DO walk around in are malls, where the marble floors are polished and clean. But in foreign countries like France, Bangkok,Japan, or London the 3aba is just an inconvenience. It drags after you gathering dust and people trip over it.
6) It's nice to try wearing something new. And if you seem approachable somebody may compliment your choice of clothing. Fooor example, A Korean lady once asked me where I got my "cute" dress, which i was wearing over jeans and a long-sleeved shirt AND a sheila (See! Covered and Cute!)
And ladies and nonexistent readers of my blog, that is the end of my list! So if you think I'm wrong, have other opinions, and even (maybe) agree with my logic, please comment <3
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