Major UK department store becomes first to sell hijabs

A major British department is set to become the first to stock hijabs on its shelves as a part of a new rage of modest clothing for Muslim women.

Debenhams announced this week that is it partnering up with the one of the world's leading modest wear brands, Aab, to begin selling its line in selected stores starting from May.

"We are delighted to introduce the Aab range to our international and select UK stores," Jeanette Whithear, trading director International at Debenhams told local media.

"Adding the high-quality fashion range to our product mix enables us to offer collections that are highly relevant in both international markets and to our domestic customers and is a step closer to creating a product offer that caters for broader customer needs," she added.

Debenhams will offer a range of clothes for Muslim women including tops, dresses, jumpsuits, kimono wraps, hijab pins and cap.

The hijab - a scarf covering the hair, ears and neck, revealing only the face - is commonly worn by Muslim women around the world.

Last year, France's highest administrative court suspended  a controversial ban on the "burkini" by a French Riviera town after it was challenged by rights groups.

French police fined Muslim women for wearing burkinis on beaches in several towns, including in the popular tourist resorts of Nice and Cannes, sparking controversy in France and abroad.

The burkini is a modest swimsuit for women that covers the whole body except the face, the hands and the feet.

A poll last year revealed that almost half of the British public would back similar bans on the burkini swimwear in Britain.