Hijab facts for kids

Hijab generally refers to clothing such as the veil and the headscarf, worn by Muslim women and girls as a symbol of modesty

An Iraqi girl wearing Hijab

Adolescent Muslim girls wearing hijabs at an Iftar meal in New Jersey

Hijab (حجاب) is an Arabic word. It means "to cover" or "to be modest." This word is often used to describe clothing. This clothing covers a woman's chest, head, and hair.

Muslim females often wear hijab after they reach puberty. They wear it when they are around adult males who are not part of their close family. They might also wear it in front of adult non-Muslim females who are not close family.

The Arabic word for this specific type of veil is "khimār" (خمار). There are many styles of hijab. Some only cover the head. Others, like a niqab or burka, cover most or all of the body. Muslim men also follow rules about modest dress.

The Quran is the holy book of Islam. It does not say that women must cover their faces with a veil. It also does not require them to cover their whole bodies with a burqa or chador.

What is Hijab?

Hijab is a way for Muslim women and girls to show their modesty. It is a part of their religious practice. The word "hijab" itself means "to cover" or "barrier." It helps people focus on a person's character. It is not just about the clothing. It is also about how a person acts and behaves.

Different Kinds of Hijab

There are many different types of hijab. They vary in style and how much they cover.

• A simple veil or headscarf covers the head and hair. It often covers the neck and chest too.
• A niqab covers the entire face, but leaves the eyes open.
• A burka covers the entire body, including the face. It usually has a mesh screen for the eyes.
• A tudong is the Malay term for hijab. It is common in countries like Brunei and Malaysia.
• A türban is a type of head covering. It is often worn in Turkey.

People choose different styles based on their culture. They also choose based on their personal beliefs.

Why Do People Wear Hijab?

Muslim women wear hijab for different reasons.

• Religious Belief: Many wear it because they believe it is a command from God. It is a way to follow their faith.
• Modesty: Hijab helps women feel modest. It helps them focus on their inner qualities.
• Identity: For some, wearing hijab is a way to show their Muslim identity. It connects them to their community.
• Protection: Some women feel safer and more respected when wearing hijab.

It is important to remember that wearing hijab is a personal choice. Not all Muslim women wear it. Also, the way it is worn can be different for everyone.

Related pages

• Head scarf
• Head tie
• Veil

Images for kids

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  Iranian women wearing hijab in Tehran

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  A Tunisian woman wearing a headscarf

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  Women wearing tudongs (the Malay term for hijab) in Brunei

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  Afghan army and police officials wearing hijabs in Kandahar

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  Emine Erdoğan wearing a türban

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  Muna AbuSulayman wearing a turban

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  Iranian woman in Isfahan wearing a hijab

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  Greek bronze statuette of a veiled and masked dancer, 2nd–3rd century BC.

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  Pre-Islamic relief showing veiled women, Temple of Baal, Palmyra, Syria, 1st century CE.

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  Roman statue of a Vestal Virgin

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  A model displaying a fashionable hijab at "Moslema In Style Fashion Show" in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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  Taekwondo medalists from Spain, Britain, Iran and Egypt at Rio Olympics, 2016

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  Map showing prevalence of hijab wearing across the world and indicating countries where there are restrictions on wearing it

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  A veil-burning ceremony in USSR as part of Soviet Hujum policies

See also

In Spanish: Hiyab para niños