Introduction: The Veil across the Globe in Politics, Everyday Life, and Fashion

Veil – what is it, where does it come from, how and why is it worn, what does it mean? From a minor subject of study, veiling has grown into a significant topic of a field of studies during the recent two decades. Global political changes have contributed to this development, but behind political and legislative battles, there is a whole world of everyday experiences, religious debates and garment markets that increasingly have drawn the attention of those who study veils and veiling practices. As a versatile topic, the veil has also inspired a versatile body of literature, drawing upon philosophy, anthropology, political science, sociology, law, urban geography, gender studies, cultural studies, fashion studies, religious studies, marketing and consumption studies, and history. This handbook aims to do two things: first, show the richness and variation in ways of studying veiling; and second, to present veiling as a global phenomenon, not limited to any specific religion, to one gender only, or to particular garments, styles, or appearances.