Muslim dress – Islamic head coverings worn commonly by women are all referred to as hijab, a term that encompasses garments ranging from headscarves that simply cover the hair to cloaks that cover the entire head, face and body. Styles vary between geographic regions. See individual entries on specific garments such as hijab, niqab, burqa and chador.
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Reuters: Islamic head coverings worn by women are all referred to as hijab, a term that encompasses garments ranging from headscarves that simply cover the hair to cloaks that cover the entire head, face and body. Styles vary between geographic regions. Among the better known are: The burqa, an enveloping circular cloak traditionally worn in parts of Afghanistan and some other regions of south and central Asia that covers the entire head and body, sometimes with a mesh over the face to ease vision. Note – Reuters uses the spelling burqa, not burka. The chador, a loose full-length cloth traditionally worn in Iran and among Shi’ite Muslims isome other countries, that covers the head and body but not the face. The niqab, a cover for the head, face and shoulders which sometimes has a slit for the eyes. It can also refer to a veil that hangs across the face from the bridge of the nose in conjunction with a headscarf. It is traditional in Gulf Arab countries, usually worn with the abaya, a loose, full-length, long-sleeved gown.
