Canadian Muslim women understand and practice the concept of modesty in a variety of ways according to a range of factors, including interpretation of sacred texts, prevailing discourses, local customs, and political, economic, and social considerations. A wide diversity of cultures, races, languages, and ethnicities exists within the Muslim community in Canada. It is therefore impossible to advance a single, unified explanation for the various practices of modesty nationwide.

The term “modesty” is defined and understood differently by different Canadian Muslims.…