The Keffiyeh: Fashion Trend or Political Statement?

Pajamas Media ^ | March 5 | Reut Cohen

[AJKauf]

The keffiyeh fashion trend has finally hit America hard — and it’s no longer exclusive to Muslim students on college campuses who support Palestinian terror. Howard Dean wore a keffiyeh in early 2007. And it isn’t just the leftists. John McCain’s daughter, Megan McCain, has also been seen sporting this foolish trend during her father’s presidential campaign in 2008.

Youngsters wouldn't wear swastikas or Klan robes to be chic, yet many adore this symbol of terrorists...

[sinanju]

Shucks! Megan McCain is about twenty years behind the times. The keffiyeh has been de rigeur with the hip n’trendy since the first Intifadah of the late eighties.

The hard part is finding out how to tie the damn thing properly. Forget about ordering an Iqal (the thingy that keeps it on your haid) that’ll fit your noggin.

[mnehring]

Our side should wear a Talit in protest (unless it is considered disrespectful to wear it for this purpose.)

[Thommas]

Urban Outfitters calls their keffiyeh the “anti-war woven scarf.” Considering the violence associated with the Palestinian Liberation Organization, calling the keffiyeh an “anti-war” scarf is extremely misleading.

There's stupid, then there is Lemming stupid...

[G8 Diplomat]

The kufiyyah is worn by all male Arabs. If the movies are accurate, the Hebrews at the time of Moses and Jesus wore it too. It’s a way to keep the sun off your head. Lawrence of Arabia wore one during his campaign. Chayim Weizmann wore one as a symbol of friendship when meeting with Emir Faysal, who accepted the Balfour Declaration.

BUT, the black-and-white checkered kufiyyah has become a symbol of Palestinian terror because it was what Yassir Arafat always wore. I would not be caught wearing one of those. It sends a bad message.

[AreaMan]

A "keffiyeh", so that's what it's called.

I always thought Arafat had stolen a tablecloth from an Italian restaurant to cover up all the lice that had taken up residence on his mangy scalp.

[freekitty]

LOL. I wouldn’t buy one thinking they have lice in them Ick....

[txnativegop]

If I am not mistaken, and I might be, a green and white checked keffiyeh is a sign of the wearer having made a Hajj.

[AreaMan]

I didn't mean to imply they all had lice in them.

I meant to say the Arafat always looked like he needed a hot shower and a flea dip.

[abercrombie_guy_38]

Just bought one today.

[freekitty]

I know that. LOL

[Myrddin]

BUT, the black-and-white checkered kufiyyah has become a symbol of Palestinian terror because it was what Yassir Arafat always wore. I would not be caught wearing one of those. It sends a bad message.

I think the "checkered" pattern is worn after a muslim has completed the "Hajj".

[2CAVTrooper]

“I meant to say the Arafat always looked like he needed a hot shower and a flea dip.”

A flea dip doesn’t help with mange. ;)

[Myrddin]

Fan belts and table cloths.

[G8 Diplomat]

Yep, it is.

But in the Gulf region many wear white ones all the time regardless of hajj status.

[Being-And-Time]

It’s only a political statement if the wearer knows what the Keffiyeh stands for—which is unlikely, given how poorly educated and politically apathetic our youth can be nowadays.

Even if they do, though, they should be free to wear it...but I would hope they would be above wearing something supportive of terrorism.

Although I’ve heard the argument that by making it a popular cultural object it’s possible that you drain the symbol of its original meaning and reduce it to something harmless. (and thus reduce its power, and in turn the power of Hamas) Not sure if I agree, though.

[George Smiley]

Neither. Dish-drying device.

[DTogo]

Our troops sometimes wear them, incl. Special Forces, to blend in and get the job done.

It all depends on the context.

[Fundamentally Fair]

The "Anti-war" scarf.

[G8 Diplomat]

a green and white checked keffiyeh is a sign of the wearer having made a Hajj.

I've never seen a green and white one. But in countries where the government is a monarchy, they wear a red and white checkered one after completing the hajj, but if the govt is presidential/parliamentary, they wear a black and white checkered one after the hajj.