That is interesting to read, but I would say that the gnostic text could have several interpretations.
Wearing a shroud on significant days is an ancient Middle Eastern custom. By co-incidence, at this time, the eve of the Persian new year, some Iranian children parade around in shrouds to commemorate the death of the old year, and also the visits from the spirits of the dead which are thought to occur at this time. (I am pinging Freedom44 to this thread, he will be able to inform us about this.)
Shrouds have also been worn by Sufis, Islamic martyrs, etc. in order to symbolise their death to the world. They are said to "see themselves" in these symbols of death. Sometimes there are folkloric stories about images and words appearing on the linen shrouds as miraculous portents. I wonder if the Edessa text does not refer to religious customs of this sort.
It might... but then the Muslim traditions would have to have pre-dated the founding of their religion by about 600 years.
I agree with you that the text could have different interpretations... look at the various translations that Shroudie has provided... but the context of where it appears (in a omitted book of the New Testament now part of the apochrypha) and its association with Christ, the Books association with Edessa, along with the reference to a double image, is very suggestive.
I would like to see the original Greek...