b-u-r-q-a
BURQA (also spelled burka or burkha) is a full-body covering worn by some Muslim women that covers the entire face and body, leaving only a mesh screen to see through. The term comes from Arabic and represents one of several types of Islamic veiling practices. In word games, BURQA is particularly valuable as one of the rare "Q without U" words, and the Q tile's 10-point value makes it a strategic play.
16
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
A BURQA is an enveloping outer garment worn by women in some Islamic traditions to cover their bodies when in public. The most complete form of veiling, it covers the entire body from head to toe, including the face, with a grille or mesh screen over the eyes to allow the wearer to see. The garment typically consists of a long, loose robe and a separate head covering.
The burqa is distinct from other forms of Islamic dress such as the hijab (which covers the hair and neck), the niqab (which covers the face but leaves the eyes visible), or the chador (which covers the body but leaves the face exposed). The burqa is most commonly associated with Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan, though its use varies significantly across different Muslim communities and cultures.
In contemporary discourse, the burqa has become a symbol in debates about religious freedom, women's rights, cultural identity, and secularism. Different societies and individuals hold varying perspectives on its significance, ranging from viewing it as a religious obligation or cultural tradition to seeing it as a tool of oppression or a personal choice of modesty and faith expression.
The word burqa comes from the Arabic "برقع" (burqu'), which originally referred to a face veil that left the eyes uncovered. The term is derived from the root "برقع" meaning "to veil" or "to cover." The word entered English through Urdu and Persian, reflecting the garment's use across different Islamic cultures.
Alternative spellings include "burka" and "burkha," with "burqa" being the most common transliteration in English. The variation in spelling reflects different systems of romanizing Arabic script. In Arabic-speaking countries, different terms may be used for similar garments, such as "abaya" or "jilbab."
The garment itself predates Islam and has roots in various ancient Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures where face veiling was practiced for different reasons including social status, protection from the elements, and cultural norms of modesty.
Views on the burqa vary widely within Islam. Some interpret religious texts as requiring full covering, while others argue that Islam only mandates modest dress without specifying complete veiling. Many Islamic scholars emphasize that requirements for modesty apply to both men and women.
The burqa is most prevalent in Afghanistan, where it's called "chadri," and in parts of Pakistan. In other Muslim-majority countries, different forms of covering are more common. Cultural, rather than purely religious factors, often influence these regional variations.
The burqa has become central to discussions about integration, secularism, and women's rights in many countries. Some nations have implemented bans on face-covering veils in public spaces, while others protect the right to wear them as a matter of religious freedom.
The choice and style of covering often reflect local customs, family traditions, and personal beliefs rather than a uniform religious requirement. In some regions, specific colors (like the blue burqa in Afghanistan) have cultural significance.
In English, Q is almost always followed by U, making the Q tile challenging to play. Words like BURQA are invaluable because they allow you to use the high-scoring Q (10 points) without needing a U tile.
Most Q-without-U words come from Arabic, Chinese, or other languages where the Q represents different sounds than in English.
•BURQA is one of only about 40 Q-without-U words accepted in official Scrabble dictionaries
•The blue burqa became iconic in Afghanistan, where the color was traditionally associated with royalty
•Learning Q-without-U words can dramatically improve your Scrabble game, as holding a Q without U is otherwise problematic
•The mesh screen in a burqa is called a "grille" and traditionally was made from horsehair or woven fabric
"She chose to wear a burqa as an expression of her faith and cultural identity."
— Personal choice context
"The museum exhibit featured traditional Afghan clothing, including a sky-blue burqa."
— Cultural artifact context
"Playing BURQA using the Q on a triple letter score earned me 42 points!"
— Word game context
"The debate over burqa bans highlights tensions between religious freedom and secular values."
— Political context
Similar length and difficulty words
Total base points: 16 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 (U, A) | Consonants: 3 (B, R, Q)
Special feature: Q not followed by U (rare in English)
Pattern: CVCCV (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant-Consonant-Vowel)
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like BURQA