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Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan, wearing a Karakul hat

A Karakul (Karacul, QaraQul) hat (Persian: قراقلی) is a hat made from the fur of aborted fetuses of the Karakul breed of sheep.^[1][2][3][4] The fur from which it is made is referred to as Astrakhan, broadtail, karakulcha, or Persian lamb. The hat is peaked, and folds flat when taken off of the wearer's head.

The karakul hat is typically worn by Muslim men in Central and South Asia. Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan, famously wears a karakul hat. Since his presidential appointment, karakul hats have become more popular among men in Afghanistan.^[1]

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A Jinnah cap is an artificial fur karakul hat named for the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It is worn by Desi men. The Jinnah cap and salwar kameez are the national dress of Pakistan.

Jinnah caps became popular among Africans and African-Americans in the 1960s. African Presidents, Modibo Keita of Mali, and Ahmed Sekou Toure of Guinea wore the Jinnah cap to show their independence from European colonial power. The velvet version is called a Rampuri cap. Both the velvet and faux fur versions are worn by men of African descent with Western suits, and African attire such as the Boubou. Muslims of African ancestry wear these caps with the dishdasha. In urban slang, the Jinnah cap is called a fur kufi, while the Rampuri cap is called a folding kufi. When worn properly, these caps are always slanted at an angle, and never placed straight on the head. Leopard print Jinnah caps are common in Africa, but are rarely seen in the United States. In popular culture, Eddie Murphy wore the Jinnah cap in the movie, Coming to America.

While the Jinnah cap is often worn by African and African-American Christians and Jews, the Pakol is only worn by Muslims. Like the Jinnah cap, the Pakol is traditionally a hat for Afghan or Pashtun men. However, unlike the Jinnah cap, the Pakol is not worn by non-Muslims of African heritage. Most Christians who wear Jinnah or Rampuri caps purchase them from Muslim booksellers. Few African clothing stores sell these caps. Nevertheless, they are often worn during Kwanzaa and other celebrations.

• Astrakhan (fur)

The Caps of Pakistan [1]

Robert Coughlan, Tropical Africa (Time Life Publishers, Inc. 1962), p. 74-75.