MILSPEC SURPLUS 100% Cotton Plain Black Palestinian Shemagh Arab Keffiyeh Headscarf Unisex Desert Shawl Hijab Scarf

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There was widespread sympathy with the anti-colonial and anti-imperialist struggles in the developing world. Because the keffiyeh/shemagh is made of 100% woven cotton you need to be pretty careful about how you wash it. You should avoid putting it in the washing machine, and avoid the dryer at all costs. Just a few times through the washing machine/dryer cycle will be enough to destroy your shemagh. So, hand wash your keffiyeh with warm water and a mild soap. And always hang dry it. Getting this right will ensure your shemagh scarf is with you for years to come. The Bottom Line Mudde, Cas (2005). Racist Extremism in Central and Eastern Europe. Routledge. p. 34. ISBN 0-415-35594-X.

Local history has it that the shemagh originated on the Arabian Peninsula, although over time their popularity spread throughout the entire Middle East. During the 1930s they became a symbol of the Arab Revolt ( 2). And during the 1970s the keffiyeh became the trademark look of Palestinian Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat ( 3).

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During the Intifada in 1987 and again during the Second Intifada in 2000, people in Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Yemen wore the scarf to show solidarity for Palestinians against the Israeli occupation. Fast fashion enters the picture It has been described by some as "a fishing net, a honeycomb, the joining of hands, or the marks of dirt and sweat wiped off a worker's brow". Others suggest the design represents ears of wheat, in reference to Jericho, one of the first known cities to cultivate the grain. Thompson, Angus (16 October 2023). "Lidia Thorpe dons keffiyeh in Senate to speak on Palestine". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 2 November 2023. Thought to have been originally made out of wool, before cotton was introduced from India and Egypt, the keffiyeh - also called the shemagh in Jordan and Syria, and the ghutra in Gulf countries – remains distinctly Arab but is non-religious, as Arab Christians, Muslims, Druze and secular people wear it across the region, in different colours and designs.

Saudis and Jordanians wear a red-and-white chequered shemagh, said to have been influenced by the British.

A shemagh scarf enables you to keep cooler in the blazing heat. The sun isn’t the only enemy in the Arabian Desert. Temperatures in that part of the world can reach 130 Fahrenheit. Keeping the sun off their skin with a keffiyeh helps the desert peoples mitigate the effects of extreme heat. And it can do the same for you when you’re hiking the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon in July.

Moving forward in history, the keffiya as a head covering was adopted by peasants who wore it while they were working on the land to protect them from the sun, and sand, as well to wipe their faces from the sweat, and in winter to protect them from the rain and cold. Get yourself a Keffiyeh. We have 65+ Styles including the Traditional Arafat Hatta or Palestinian Scarf and the Jordanian Red Hatta. Go to collection. The Keffiyeh's popularity in Palestine Folks from the Arab American National Museum show us 4 different alternative ways to wearing a keffiyeh scarf The rise of the Keffiyeh in fashion has presented both opportunities and challenges. While it has introduced the symbol to a wider audience and encouraged dialogue about its origins, it has also raised concerns about commercialization and commodification. Critics argue that turning the Keffiyeh into a fashion accessory risks diluting its powerful message of resistance and solidarity. It's essential to approach the use of the Keffiyeh in fashion with sensitivity and respect for its cultural significance. Challenges to the Keffiyeh Tradition Holleman, Wouter (30 October 2023). "Support for Palestine during teach-in in Sanders Building". Erasmus Magazine . Retrieved 2 November 2023. Up until the 2000s, Turkey banned the keffiyeh because it was considered a symbol of solidarity with the PKK. [33] Westerners in keffiyeh [ edit ] T.E. Lawrence at Rabegh, north of Jeddah, in 1917As the keffiyeh scarfcontinues to evolve and adapt in response to changing times, it remains a potent emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian cause and the broader fight against oppression. Its global recognition and adoption by activists and fashion enthusiasts alike serve as a testament to its enduring relevance. a b Brill, E. J. (1993). E.J. Brill's First Encyclopaedia of Islam: 1913-1936. Ṭāʻif - Zūrkhāna. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-09794-0.