Hijab and the Abrahamic Traditions: A Comparative Analysis of the Muslim Veil

Modesty is a common theme in the Abrahamic traditions of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Although modesty norms are largely based in religious scripture, the form in which they play out is largely shaped by cultural norms and social factors. This essay explores how Muslim women in North America negotiate modesty norms by exploring cross-cultural research on veiling, highlighting the differences and similarities these women share with their Christian and Jewish counterparts. Research suggests that Muslim women's modesty norms are contingent on culture, socioeconomic status, geopolitical factors, race and religiosity.