The PEW Research Center released the results of a survey, conducted by the University of Michigan, illustrating what people in Muslim countries think a woman should wear in public. The survey was part of the overall Middle Easter Values Survey.

Men and women in seven Arab countries were asked which type of dress was most appropriate for women to wear in public. Six answers were provided, ranging from a full burqa, which covers the entire body from head to toe; a hijab, which covers a woman’s hair but not her face; and no head covering at all.

The results of the survey are being met with both fascination and disdain. In Saudi Arabia, the preferred style of dress is the black niqab which completely covers the face except for a slit near the eye. Overall, four countries chose a white hijab that completely covers the hair and ears as the most appropriate form of public dress for a woman.

Respondents in Lebanon, almost half of respondents chose no head covering. In Turkey, 32 percent favored no head covering as did 15 percent o Tunisians. The authors of the survey suggest that this high percentage of favoring no head covering at all reflects the presence of various religions in the countries, not just Islam. For example, in Lebanon, 27 percent of the sample of respondents was Christian.

Respondents were also asked: “Should women be able to choose their own clothing?” In four of seven countries, almost half said yes. Surprisingly, 47 percent in Saudi Arabia and 56 percent in Tunisia said yes. In Egypt, only 14 percent of respondents said a woman should be able to choose her own clothing.