The Dutch store of the Arab-American owner Rukaya Al-Sharari offers buyers stylish and modest outfits.
NETHERLANDS, Ohio – For Muslim and Arab women who want to dress modestly, buying clothes in Toledo has sometimes been a challenge.
Experiencing this problem, Rukayya al-Sharari decided to open
Fashion boutique Hayat Modest a year ago to fill a void in the market.
“We would like to provide modest clothing for women who would just like to dress, you know, modestly,” Al-Sharari said.
Al-Sharari became a Muslim about 27 years ago, and during her own trip she noticed that finding modest clothing was difficult. She knew she was not alone.
“It was hard for me to find something to wear that I didn’t have to buy extra items to cover, or it wasn’t too revealing,” she said. – So I thought there was a need in society.
Throughout history, women in Arab countries have traditionally dressed more conservatively.
“Arabs are more conservative for a variety of reasons,” said Gabi Semaan, a professor of Arab culture at the University of Toledo. “Religion can be one of them.”
Semaan compared Muslim and Arab women who wore modest clothing as a cultural or religious expression, with Christian nuns who also traditionally wore modest clothing as a personal religious expression. Many global cultures and religions are reflected in modest attire, he said.
“I would say that traditionally there has been more conservatism in the Arab world,” Seman said.
Al-Sharari said that even if you are not an Arab or a Muslim, she hopes you come in and see what her store has to offer.
“We encourage everyone to walk through the door because we provide clothing and accessories for every woman you know, as well as for Muslim women who are looking for clothes they can’t find anywhere else in the community,” al-Sharari said.
The Hayat Modest fashion boutique, 909 S. McCord Road, is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday.
Visit the Hayat Modest fashion boutique Instagram.
