Types of hijab

This table of types of hijab describes terminologically distinguished styles of clothing commonly
associated with the word hijab.

The Arabic word hijāb can be translated as "cover, wrap, curtain, veil, screen, partition", among
other meanings.[1] In the Quran it refers to notions of separation, protection and covering in both
literal and metaphorical senses.[2] Subsequently, the word has evolved in meaning and now usually
denotes a Muslim woman's veil.[2] In English, the term refers predominantly to the head covering
for women and its underlying religious precepts.[3][4] Not all Muslims believe the hijab is
mandated in Islam.[5][6][7]
 Name Image Description

Full-length, robe-like outer garment that covers the whole body

Abaya ‫عباية‬ except the head, feet, and hands. Usually worn with a headscarf
or (especially in Saudi Arabia) gloves and niqab.

A two-piece veil. It consists of a close fitting cap, usually made

al-Amira
from cotton or polyester, and an accompanying tube-like scarf.

A veil that is tied on at the forehead and falls to cover the entire
face but has no cut-out for the eyes; instead, the fabric is sheer
Bushiyya
enough to be seen through (Middle East, specifically Persian
Gulf).

This is similar to khimār 2 (see below) but comes down just to

Bukhnuq ‫بخنق‬ the bosom. Sometimes called "Amira hijab" if it has embroidery
at the edge.

Eastern Arabia Women wear it in United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and
Batula Arabs of Southern Iran. This tradition has almost died out in the
(Battoulah) ‫برقع‬ newer generations. Older women past 50, and those living in
‫شرق الجزيرة العربية‬ rural areas can still be seen wearing them.

Traditional Central Asian[8] style outer garment that covers the

entire body and has a grille over the face that the woman looks
Burqa or
through. Very similar in style and function to other Central Asian
Chadari Bengali
styles such as the paranja. Burqa or Chadari Bengali were
‫ چادری‬،‫برقع‬
traditionally worn in Chechnya and Uzbekistan and transferred
to Afghanistan by Salafi's.
 An Iranian traditional outer garment (also worn in other
countries) that covers the head and body and is a full-length
Chador semicircle of fabric but comes down to the ground. Does not
have slits for the hands and is held shut with the hands, teeth or
simply wrapped under the arms.

White turban traditionally worn by Kyrgyz women, currently

Elechek
reserved for special occasions.[9][10]

Hijāb ‫حجاب‬ May refer to any head covering. See Hijab

The term used in the Qur'an (Suratu l-Ahzāb, āya 59) to refer to
Jilbāb (1) ‫جلباب‬ generic the outer garment. In Indonesia, the term jilbab refers
exclusively to the head-covering.

A type of outer garment that looks like a long raincoat or

Jilbāb (2)
trenchcoat.

Traditional headgear of unmarried woman in Kazakhstan,

Kalpak
Karakalpakstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Kalfak
(ru:Калфак, Traditional headgear of Tatars woman.
tt:Калфак)

Kashmau
(ba:Ҡашмау, Traditional headgear of Bashkirs woman.
ru:Кашмау)
 Kelaghayi A traditional Azerbaijani women's headgear.

Although similar to the Malaysian tudong (below), the modern

Kerudung Indonesian kerudung usually includes a stiff visor above the
eyes.

The term used in the Qur'an (Suratu n-Nūr, āya 31) to refer to
Khimār (1) ‫خمار‬ generic the headscarf; the word "hijāb" is more commonly used with this
meaning.

Most commonly, a circular head covering with a hole cut out for
the face, which usually comes down to the waist. Note the
Khimār (2)
variations bukhnuq and chador above, which are the same style
but different lengths.

Kimeshek Traditional headgear of married woman in Kazakhstan,

(kk:Кимешек) Karakalpakstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Kurhars
Traditional headgear of unmarried woman in Ingushetia.
(ru:Курхарс)

Traditional festive headgear of woman, who has married sons

and daughters, in Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, quite similar to
Lachak Elechek and Kimeshek, worn only at party where only women
are present (as at presence of men face was completely
closed). https://moluch.ru/archive/47/5858/

An Indonesian hijab worn almost exclusively for praying. It is

Mukena fastened around the head with two strings. Colors are usually
white or pastel.
 A veil that covers the face and entire head but with a place cut
Niqaab ‫نقاب‬
out for the eyes (image: style worn in Yemen).

A veil that is tied on at the bridge of the nose and falls to cover
Niqaab (2)
the lower face. Also called "half niqab".

A traditional kerchief used in Central Asia and the Caucasus

(note how it is banded, the neck is usually not covered by it). In
some countries like Uzbekistan it was traditionally used only at
Oramal
home, while in public the paranja was more popular. In other
(kk:Орамал)
countries, like Kazakhstan, it was commonly used in public. In
Kyrgyzstan, the white color is an indication that the woman is
married.

A Central Asian traditional outer garment that covers the head

Paranja and body, heavy in weight and made from horsehair. Once
prevalent in Uzbek and Tajik societies.

Safseri, sefseri, Traditional Tunisian veil worn by women, composed of a large

safsari or sefsari piece of cream-colored cloth covering the whole body.

In Southeast Asia, a multi-purpose shoulder sash that can be

Selendang tied around the shoulders to carry infants and groceries, or
draped over the head.
 Long, rectangular scarf, wrapped around the head and tucked
Shayla or pinned in place at the shoulders. Popular in Arab states of the
Persian Gulf.[11]

Xinjiang - usually worn without scarf

Tatarstan and Caucasus - worn always with scarf
Taqiyah (cap) Kazakhstan, Kyrghyzstan, and Karkalpakstan - worn for little
girls only
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan - worn only at home as headgear,
as in public the face is completely covered

Typically worn by Sudanese women. a long, colorful fabric wrap

typically worn over a dress or shirt and a skirt. In the past, the
Thawb Toob was worn by all Sudanese women, but modern
preferences have shifted towards more contemporary clothing
styles.[12]

Headscarf worn in Malaysia and Indonesia. In Indonesia, the

Tudung
term kerudung (above) is much more common.

Türban Turkish term for a headscarf pinned neatly at the sides.[13]

 Headscarf worn in Japan. Originally meant to be for warmth, but
Zukin
many Japanese Muslims wear it as a hijab.

See also
Islam and clothing

References
1. El Guindi, Fadwa; Sherifa Zahur (2009). Hijab. The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World.
doi:10.1093/acref/9780195305135.001.0001 (https://doi.org/10.1093%2Facref%2F978019530
5135.001.0001). ISBN 978-0-19-530513-5.
2. Siddiqui, Mona (2006). "Veil" (http://referenceworks.brillonline.com/entries/encyclopaedia-of-th
e-quran/veil-EQSIM_00441). In Jane Dammen McAuliffe (ed.). Encyclopaedia of the Qurʾān.
Brill.
3. Hijab (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hijab) in Merriam-Webster
4. Hijab (https://web.archive.org/web/20130504175038/http://oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/
american_english/hijab) at Oxford Dictionaries
5. "unicornsorg" (http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_351_400/quran_does_not_mandate_hijab.ht
m). Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20151221175749/http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_
351_400/quran_does_not_mandate_hijab.htm) from the original on 21 December 2015.
Retrieved 26 December 2015.
6. "Moroccoworldnews.com" (http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2012/06/45564/hijab-is-not-an-i
slamic-duty-scholar/). Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20151227054847/http://www.moro
ccoworldnews.com/2012/06/45564/hijab-is-not-an-islamic-duty-scholar/) from the original on 27
December 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
7. Nomani, Asra Q.; Arafa, Hala (21 December 2015). "Opinion: As Muslim women, we actually
ask you not to wear the hijab in the name of interfaith solidarity" (https://www.washingtonpost.c
om/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/12/21/as-muslim-women-we-actually-ask-you-not-to-wear-the-h
ijab-in-the-name-of-interfaith-solidarity/). Washington Post. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
8. Abu-Lughod, Lila (2002). "Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving? Anthropological Reflections
on Cultural Relativism and Its Others". American Anthropologist. 104 (3): 783–790.
doi:10.1525/aa.2002.104.3.783 (https://doi.org/10.1525%2Faa.2002.104.3.783).
9. BBC Trending (13 August 2016). "Kyrgyzstan president: 'Women in mini skirts don't become
suicide bombers' " (https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-36846249). BBC.
10. Bradley Mayhew; Greg Bloom; Paul Clammer; Michael Kohn (2010). Central Asia (https://book
s.google.com/books?id=B9m-hrsrtfYC&pg=PA63). Lonely Planet. p. 63. ISBN 978-1-74179-
148-8.
11. BBC, In graphics: Muslim veils (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/europe_musli
m_veils/html/3.stm)
12. karim (2021-11-21). "Sudanese Traditional Clothing -" (https://www.planetjawal.com/sudanese-t
raditional-clothing/). Retrieved 2023-05-16.
13. Rainsford, Sarah (November 7, 2006). "Headscarf issue challenges Turkey" (http://news.bbc.c
o.uk/2/hi/europe/6122010.stm). BBC News.

External links
BBC drawings depicting different forms of Islamic women's clothing (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/sh
ared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/europe_muslim_veils/html/1.stm)
Different Hijab and modest Islamic women's clothing (https://spinzarstore.com/collections/abay
as)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Types_of_hijab&oldid=1185720632"