Fashion plays major role in Muslim custom
Celebrating Eid-al-Fitr, the Breaking of the Fast Festival, can sometimes be more about fashion than it is about food.
It is custom for most members of the Muslim community to order new clothes prior to Ramadan in celebration of the custom.
Most women and young girls import their new and extravagant cloaks (abayas) and scarves (hijabs) from the Middle East and India.
Bakerton resident Aboo Seedat says some women buy imported material and make their own cloaks and scarves.
It is not necessary, however, to spend excessively, as their best clothes would suffice, the same with children’s clothes.
According to Bakerton resident Salma Sakir, women are suppose to dress up in Eastern wear.
Salma says she is going to wear a punjabi that originates from India, which is more like a dress than trousers.
Her daughter Aamina Sakir (16) will be wearing pants, a dress, jacket and boots, which covers her body.
The most important feature is the hijab, which covers her hair.
“Muslim women should always wear a hijab,” says Salma.
For the men and boys, kurtas (a type of cloak) are trendy and available in pastel shades and exotic designs.
According to businessman Ayub Seedat, the youth are more adventurous and like to brand their kurtas with famous clothing logos.
It has also become a trend that the youth blend in different colours to brighten up the white kurtas.
“It is all about showing off good clothing,” says Ayub.
