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 the Arabic word for "to cover", and in general, means to be modest.

The word is used in particular to mean clothing which covers a woman's chest, head and hair. This is often done in Islam for females over the age of puberty. It is worn in the presence of adult males outside their immediate family. It may also be worn in front of adult non-Muslim female outside their immediate family

The Arabic word used to specifically mean this is "khimār" (خمار). This "veil" can come in several different types, such as an ordinary veil (which only covers the head), and a niqab or burka, which covers the entire body. There are many styles to wear. Muslim men must also observe standards of modest dress.

The Quran has no requirement that women cover their faces with a veil, or cover their bodies with the full-body burqa or chador.

Images for kids

Iranian women wearing hijab in Tehran
A Tunisian woman wearing a headscarf
Women wearing tudongs (the Malay term for hijab) in Brunei
Afghan army and police officials wearing hijabs in Kandahar
Emine Erdoğan wearing a türban
Muna AbuSulayman wearing a turban
Iranian woman in Isfahan wearing a hijab
Greek bronze statuette of a veiled and masked dancer, 2nd–3rd century BC.
Pre-Islamic relief showing veiled women, Temple of Baal, Palmyra, Syria, 1st century CE.
Roman statue of a Vestal Virgin
A model displaying a fashionable hijab at "Moslema In Style Fashion Show" in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Taekwondo medalists from Spain, Britain, Iran and Egypt at Rio Olympics, 2016
Map showing prevalence of hijab wearing across the world and indicating countries where there are restrictions on wearing it
A veil-burning ceremony in USSR as part of Soviet Hujum policies

Hijab facts for kids

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