Hijab refers to various head coverings worn by many Muslim women. Hijabs come in many forms. They often cover the hair, neck, and ears.
The use of the hijab has been on the rise worldwide since the 1970s. For many Muslim women, it is a way of being modest and pious. For some, it is a way of demonstrating their submission to Allah. For some, it is a reminder to keep up their beliefs and attitudes, like being honest and generous. It can also be a way of expressing their identity or faith.
There can be many meanings and reasons for wearing a hijab. There are also many other kinds of hair coverings Muslim women might wear (for example, a niqab or burka). Many Muslims and Islamic scholars agree that men and women should dress modestly. Many also agree that some kind of hair covering for women is preferred. However, they disagree about whether it is mandated.
The practice of covering one’s hair started before the emergence of Islam. Many Christians, Jews, and women of other religions, in history and today, also dress modestly, including covering their hair.
Text adapted from English Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0.