Multiple variants of the battoulah exist, and some are specific to cities and regions. The "Zabeel cut" design has a narrow top and a broad, curved bottom, and is worn in
Dubai and
Abu Dhabi. The variant worn in
Sharjah resembles the Zabeel cut, but is shaped so the top of the mask is inclined forwards. The
Al Ain design features both a narrow top and bottom. The
Bahraini and
Qatari burqa is square. In
Oman and
Fujairah it is very large and broader at the top with a tip that goes beyond the forehead. In neighbouring
Saudi Arabia, the
niqab is worn instead. In southern provinces of Iran,
Shia women wear red rectangular masks, while those of
Sunni women are black or indigo with gold, similar to the mask worn in the Arabian peninsula. In
Qeshm, the masks were designed to fool invaders, so they would mistake women for male soldiers. The wearing of battouleh is declining among the younger generation. ==Gallery==