Zunnar
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Zunnar (also spelled "zunar" or "zonar"; Template:Langx Script error: No such module "lang".) was a distinctive belt or girdle, part of the clothing that Dhimmi (e.g. Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians) were required to wear within the Islamic caliphate regions to distinguish them from Muslims.[1] Though not always enforced, the zunnar served, together with a set of other rules, as a covert tool of discrimination.[2][3]
Etymology
The word originates from the diminutive of the Greek zone, probably via Aramaic zunnārā. In Syriac, it denotes the girdle worn by monks.[1]
Description
The zunnar was usually wider than a regular belt (as to make it distinguishable)Template:Sfn and was often worn with patches of varying colours.[1] The requirement to wear it has been attributed to the so-called Covenant of Umar, however this covenant seems to have been a set of practices that were only formalised in around the 9th century.[1] It seems likely that the belt was only one part of the intention to oblige non-Muslims to keep their usual costumes as to prevent them from being confused with Muslims.Template:Sfn As such, the requirement seems to have been for Christians (Jews are initially not mentioned) to wear a distinctive sash (the zunnar) and a distinctive sign or mark on their headgear and that of their animals.Template:Sfn
In case of omission of belt, the punishment could be whipping, imprisonment or public humiliation.[4] Although the wearing of the zunnar was not always enforced, it could always be implemented at the discretion of any Muslim ruler as was done for instance under the Abbasid caliph al-Mutawakkil, who ordered both Christians and Jews to wear the zunnar with a taylasān (a shawl-like head covering),Template:Sfn or Fatimid caliph al-Hakim.Template:Sfn Another example come from the year 1301 when the Mamluks purged Christians and Jews from administrative positions and additionally forced Christians to wear the zunnar and a blue turban.Template:Sfn
Modern usage
- In 2001, the Taliban in Afghanistan required Afghan Hindus to wear yellow badges.[5][6]
- Zunnar is a Palestinian article of clothing used mainly as a belt around the waist.[7]
See also
- Clothing laws by country
- Kushti worn by Zoroastrians
- Himiana worn by Mandaeans
- Yellow badge worn by Jews
- Zone (vestment)
References
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- ↑ Taliban to mark Afghan Hindus Template:Webarchive,CNN
- ↑ Taliban: Hindus Must Wear Identity Labels,People's Daily
- ↑ Embroidering Identities, a century of Palestinian clothing,The oriental institute museum of the university of Chicago
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Sources
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