In the Middle East and North Africa, beards continue to be a source of political and religious controversy.
The striking similarities between hipsters and Hasidim (a strand of ultra-orthodox Judaism) are well documented.
statigr.am / Via statigr.am
But for many Muslims in the Arab world, sporting a beard may send another (intentional or not) message: support for Islamist movements
Via storyful.com
Hipster or Salafi?
Thanks for playing: The answer is... Salafi. This man wears a sign in support of Egyptian Salafist leader Hazem Abu Ismail.
Jonathan Rashad / Via Flickr: drumzo
Take Egypt, for example, where Muslim Brotherhood members typically sport a full but well-groomed beard and mustache.
Former Egyptian President and Muslim Brotherhood member Mohammed Morsi.
Mike Segar / Reuters
