Mr Jay Ryder



Wilson_Ian

Examining the Cultural and Religious Origins of Veiling in Islamic Tradition

Jay Ryder is a third-year PhD candidate in the Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne. His research primarily focuses on the history of violence in Islam and early conquests, linked to contemporary violence in Islam perpetrated by Salafi-Jihadi groups such as Islamic State.

Examining the Cultural and Religious Origins of Veiling in Islamic Tradition

This paper examines pre-Islamic and early Islamic veiling practices. Particular emphasis is placed on Islamic scripture as a source for what may be understood as the potential requirement for veiling. It argues that scripture does not mandate veiling for women, and that in early Islam it was a symbol of status and protection from non-Muslims. The evolution to prescription over time came from juristic interpretations and scriptural exegeses. There exists no scriptural requirement for women to veil.