Two women dressed in abayat and niqāb. Abaya is the dress and niqāb is the face covering.

The abaya "cloak" (Arabic: عباية‎ ʿabāyah or عباءة ʿabā'ah, plural عبائات /عبايات ʿabāyāt), sometimes also called an aba, is a simple, loose over-garment, essentially a robe-like dress, worn by some women in parts of the Islamic world including in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.^[1] Traditional abayat are black and may be either a large square of fabric draped from the shoulders or head or a long caftan. The abaya covers the whole body except the face, feet, and hands. It can be worn with the niqāb, a face veil covering all but the eyes. Some women choose to wear long black gloves, so their hands are covered as well.

The Indonesian and Malaysian women's traditional dress kebaya gets its name from the abaya.

Rationale[link]

The rationale behind the abaya is dealt with at greater length in the article Niqab.

Often the Quranic quote, "O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters, and the believing women, to cover themselves with a loose garment. They will thus be recognised and no harm will come to them" 33:59 (Translated by Ahmed Ali) is given as the argument for wearing the abaya.

The abaya is most common in countries with large Salafi Muslim populations, as the entire body, including face and hands are considered elements of the awrah: that which should be concealed in public from males unrelated by blood or marriage.

Countries[link]

Outside the few Arab states and Saudi Arabia, in nations with large Muslim populations, such as India, Indonesia and Iranit is uncommon, however many in those countries do wear it.

Middle East[link]

In Saudi Arabia, they require women to cover in public.^[2] In Iran, the cover is often referred to as a chador. In South Asia, it is known as a burqa.

United Kingdom[link]

Abayas are not restricted to the East. In cities with strong Islamic communities such as London, Birmingham and Bradford, the abaya is worn by many Muslim women, increasingly commonly with the niqab (face veil). There are numerous shops and online stores selling abayas in the U.K.^{[citation needed]}

Styles[link]

Abayat are known by various names but serve the same purpose, which is to cover. Contemporary models are usually caftans, cut from light, flowing fabrics like crepe, georgette, and chiffon. Styles differ from region to region: some abayat have embroidery on black fabric while others are brightly coloured and have different forms of artwork across them.

See also[link]

	Islam portal
	Fashion portal
	Middle East portal

• List of types of sartorial hijab
• Islam and clothing
• Alyashmac Abaya & Jalabyia home page

References[link]

External links[link]

• Kaur-Jones, Priya. "Reinventing the Saudi abaya." BBC. 12 May 2011.

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (January 2011)

Ramon Marcelino "Marc" Diaz-Abaya (born November 6, 1979) is a Filipino musician, TV host, VJ, and occasional actor. Abaya appeared in the 2009 Philippine release of Tinker Bell.

He is the son of actor/director Manolo Abaya and director Marilou Diaz-Abaya.

Musical career[link]

Abaya was discovered by Raimund Marasigan of The Eraserheads during a battle of the bands in which Abaya's band Shirley Beans won first place. Marasigan, who was one of the judges for the night, invited Abaya to act as frontman for the band Sandwich in 1998. While Abaya was a member of the band, they released three albums: Grip, Stand, Throw; 4-track mind; Thanks to the Moon's Gravitational Pull.

While in Sandwich, he formed a band with his closest friends named Kjwan. Formed May 2003, Kjwan released their self-titled album in 2004^[1] which included the carrier single "Daliri."

He joined MTV Philippines^[2] in 2003 and became one of the VJs until the dissolution of MTV Philippines under the Music Source Inc on January 1, 2007. Abaya had hosted a variety of shows, most including "Rockola on MTV" and "Massive". In September 2009, AYC hired him to man MTV Philippines' music station U92 for a weekly show.

Acting[link]

Abaya played the role of Francis in an afternoon drama series on ABS-CBN's Ligaw na Bulaklak. He was one of the judges of the reality entertainment show Showtime and host of Pilipinas Got Talent.

In 2010, Abaya joined the cast of Dagim, a Cinema One Original film directed by Joaquin Pedro Valdes for which he won "Best Supporting Actor" at the Cinema One Originals Awards.

In 2011, Abaya moved to GMA 7 with the shows Party Pilipinas and I Heart You, Pare!

Filmography[link]

Television[link]

Film[link]

References[link]