ghost wrote:Historically, the veiling of the face was practised by many cultures before Islam and scholars say the adoption of its practice by Muslims was part of fitting into the society.
They don't name a concrete example of one such culture. Any ideas on how to find an example?
Genesis 24:65
65. And she said to the servant, "Who is that man walking in the field towards us?" And the servant said, "He is my master." And she took the veil and covered herself.
Indian Women with Ghoonghat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghoonghat
The Lalitavistara, a fanciful biography of the Buddha, has an interesting story pertaining to the issue of female veiling. -
http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=508
Excavations at the site of the ancient city of Nineveh uncovered the glories of the Assyrian civilization that flourished in the lands of Mesopotamia several millenniums BC. Among the treasures found were the famous tablets of Nineveh that enabled archeologists to unravel the mysteries of this civilization. These tablets that are currently exhibited in the London museum described in details the lives of the people, the history, culture, sciences, literature, and religion of this civilization.
Respectable women were forced to wear the veil while those who were considered unrespectable were forced to go with their heads uncovered. Thus veil became an exclusive symbol of respect; a privilege that slaves, prostitutes and concubines were denied off.
http://alexandrakinias.wordpress.com/20 ... ent-world/
The virtuous princess of Panchala, worshipping the celestial Rishi's feet, stood with joined hands before him, properly veiled
http://www.holybooks.com/mahabharata-al ... pdf-files/
page 465
THE MAHABHARATA
OF
KRISHNA-DWAIPAYANA VYASA
Translated into English prose from the
original Sanskrit Text.
BY
PRATAP CHANDRA ROY, C. I. E.
VOL I
ADI PARVA
ORIENTAL
