Somalia: Information on whether a Muslim Somali woman who did not cover her head while with her husband would cover her head once she separated from her husband out of respect for her husband and to protect herself "from evil eyes"
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 August 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SOM21539.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Somalia: Information on whether a Muslim Somali woman who did not cover her head while with her husband would cover her head once she separated from her husband out of respect for her husband and to protect herself "from evil eyes", 1 August 1995, SOM21539.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac4127.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In a telephone conversation with the DIRB, an employee of the Somali Association of Etobicoke explained that the wearing of the veil in Somali society is governed by tradition and religion (28 Aug. 1995). Somali tradition expects a woman to cover her head when she gets married whereas Muslim religion expects women to cover their heads regardless of their marital status (ibid.).
The employee emphasized that the choice of whether or not to cover one's head is individual (ibid.). She explained that there are many Somali married women who do not cover their heads and there are many Somali unmarried women who cover their heads (ibid.).
This source was unable to say whether or not a Muslim Somali woman who did not cover her head while with her husband would cover her head once she separated from her husband out of respect for her husband and/or to protect herself "from evil eyes" (ibid.). Information on this topic could not be found among the sources consulted by DIRB.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylm.
References
Somali Canadian Association of Etobicoke. 28 August 1995. Telephone interview with DIRB.
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