A Complete List of Hijab Types & Muslim Veils

Learn the meaning behind every type of hijab or head covering

Co-authored by Idris Abdul-Zahir and Sophie Burkholder, BA

Last Updated: November 7, 2025 Fact Checked

A hijab (or khima) is a type of head covering that some Muslim women wear in public—but there are many different types of hijab and many different ways (and reasons) to wear one. In some countries, women are legally required to wear the hijab, while others choose to wear it to honor their culture or religion, preserve their piety and modesty, or demonstrate a connection to God. To learn more, keep reading and discover the different types of cultural veils and hijabs, how they’re worn, and their cultural significance (with insights from Islam expert Idris Abdul-Zahir).

Note: For the purposes of this article, the word “hijab” is used as a generic term for head-coverings worn primarily by Muslim or Islamic women. Some of the garments in this article are not technically hijabs, but rather similar variations, alternatives, or complements to the religious head covering, or garments that might be mistaken for a hijab by others.

The Most Common Hijab Types: At a Glance

Some of the most common types of Islamic veils or head coverings include the hijab and the shayla, both of which cover the head and neck while leaving the face visible. The al-amira and khimar also cover the shoulders and chest, while other styles, such as the chador, niqab, and burqa, cover the full body and/or face.

1

Abaya

The abaya is a full-length outer garment that covers the entire body from the shoulders down. Similar to a long robe, an abaya covers everything except for the head, feet, and hands. In most cases, it’s worn with a traditional headscarf, although some women may wear the abaya with gloves and a niqab.^{[1]
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- Most Common In: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and other countries in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Idris Abdul-Zahir is an Islam expert who currently serves as the Resident Imam and Board Chair of Masjidullah: The Center for Human Excellence, where he has led one of the city’s most active and civically engaged Muslim congregations for over five years.

2

Al-Amira

The Al-Amira (or Al-Ameera) is a two-piece veil. It’s made up of a tight-fitting cap that covers the head and a tubular scarf that is pulled over the cap in order to cover the neck, shoulders, and chest. These pieces are usually made from a lightweight material like cotton or polyester. The Al-Amira is especially popular due to its secure fit and ease of wear.^{[2]
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- Most Common In: The Middle East and Southeast Asia, although it’s popular in Muslim communities worldwide.

3

Battoulah

The battoulah (or the Gulf burqa) is a traditional face mask that’s made of a thick fabric and decorated with gold, silver, coral, pearls, or metal objects. It covers most of the wearer’s face (except the eyes), although some variations reveal the chin, cheeks, and lips. At least, the nose and parts of the forehead are covered by a traditional battoulah (some credit the design with helping to keep sand and dust out of one’s nose and mouth in desert regions). The wearing of the battoulah is an old tradition that’s mostly died out, but it’s still worn predominantly by older, married women in certain parts of the Arab world.^{[3]
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- Most Common In: The United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Southern Iran, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries.

4

Burqa

A burqa (or burka) is one of the most conservative types of Muslim coverings. It covers the entire face and body with a crochet mesh covering that’s “like lace to cover their eyes,” describes Abdul-Zahir.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Idris Abdul-Zahir
Islam Expert

Expert Interview} Burqas are usually blue, brown, green, or white, and they can be made out of a variety of fabrics and materials (including horsehair). For communities that wear or enforce the burqa, it’s said to represent modesty and privacy, although the garment has been the subject of criticism and complex debates about culture, religion, and gender equality.^{[5]
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- Most Common In: Afghanistan, where its usage is enforced by the Taliban. It’s also used in Pakistan and other Central Asian countries.

5

Bushiyyah

A bushiyyah—also called a boshiya or ghatwa—is a veil that attaches to the forehead and covers the entire face. Unlike similar garments, the bushiyyah has no opening for the eyes. However, the fabric used for the veil is quite sheer, so the wearer should be able to see through it. The bushiyyah is considered to be one of the most conservative forms of hijab, since it covers the entire face.^{[6]
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- Most Common In: The Middle East, especially in the Persian Gulf.

6

Chador

The chador is a semicircle of fabric that’s draped over the top of the head to cover the head and body. It doesn’t cover the face, but it does reach the ground and lacks any holes for the hands. The traditional chador doesn’t have any fasteners, but wearers usually hold it together with their hands or, in some cases, add pins or ties to keep it secure. Some individuals choose to wear it alongside a small headscarf or hijab that sits underneath the chador’s hood.^{[7]
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- Most Common In: Iran and other countries with prominent Shia Islam populations.
EXPERT TIP

Idris Abdul-Zahir
Imam
Idris Abdul-Zahir is a spiritual leader, civic innovator, and IT executive based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He currently serves as the Resident Imam and Board Chair of Masjidullah: The Center for Human Excellence, where he has led one of the city’s most active and civically engaged Muslim congregations for over five years. Prior to that, he served as Assistant Imam for two years. Appointed in 2024 to Philadelphia’s first-ever Commission on Muslim Engagement and to Governor Josh Shapiro’s Advisory Commission for African American Affairs, Idris plays a key role in shaping inclusive policy and civic engagement across the state. In the public sector, Idris brings nearly two decades of experience in technology leadership. As Deputy Chief Information Officer, he oversees enterprise IT operations, including service strategy and communications infrastructure, with a focus on equitable digital transformation. Idris Abdul-Zahir is committed to transforming systems, narratives, and lives through faith, service, and inclusive leadership.

Idris Abdul-Zahir
Imam

Women cover their hair differently based on where they’re from. The Quran doesn’t specify how to cover the hair—it just tells believing women to take their veil and cover themselves. How you cover is up to you, and it depends on culture. Women tend to adopt the dress of the ethnic group or nation they’re from.

7

Dupatta

A dupatta is a long, rectangular veil that’s often used as a headscarf. It’s typically wrapped loosely around the head and neck, covering all (or almost all) of the wearer’s hair while leaving the face exposed. Dupattas are usually made from a light, flowy fabric that’s been elaborately embroidered or that features an elegant pattern.^{[8]
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- Most Common In: Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.

8

Esarp

An esarp is a silk square scarf that’s most commonly worn by Turkish women. Esarps come in a variety of patterns and colors and can be used for multiple purposes, including as a headscarf or hijab. However, the esarp isn’t especially modest or conservative. The wearer simply ties it around their head, so it’s likely that all of the face, neck, and some of the hair would remain uncovered.
- Most Common In: Turkey.

9

Haik

The haik is a veil that covers the entire body, and some wearers will also wrap it around their head to cover any hair. It’s usually paired with an aadjar, which is a handkerchief-like face covering. While the haik is similar to other garments on this list, it’s specifically worn in Northern Africa and is also designed in white or black.
- Most Common In: The Maghreb.

10

Hijab

“The word ‘hijab’ is a cultural term that you mostly hear coming out of the Middle East and Arab-dominated nations. This is their colloquial term for a woman’s head covering,” explains Abdul-Zahir.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Idris Abdul-Zahir
Islam Expert

Expert Interview} But, while “hijab” is often used as a generic term for head-covering, it also refers to a specific item: a scarf or headscarf that covers the hair, neck, and ears. When wearing a hijab, the face is usually exposed.^{[10]
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- Most Common In: Middle Eastern and Northern African countries, although it’s used in Muslim communities worldwide.

11

Jilbab

A jilbab is a piece of outerwear that, depending on where you are, may look like a long trenchcoat or a long tunic. The latter is especially true in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where a jilbab is a long dress that covers the wearer’s entire body. In Indonesia, however, the word “jilbab” can be used to refer to any type of modest garment that covers the wearer from head to toe. This meaning is most accurate to the original description of the jilbab in the Qur’an, where it’s used as a generic term for any protective article of clothing.^{[11]
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- Most Common In: Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other Muslim-majority countries.

12

Kelaghayi

A kelaghayi is a silk headscarf that’s specifically worn by Azerbaijani women. It’s typically worn as a turban or as a head covering over a headdress; however, the kelaghayi can be worn in numerous ways. The kelaghayi also comes in a variety of intricate patterns and vivid colors, and the designs usually point to specific symbolic meanings for the wearer.^{[12]
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- Most Common In: Azerbaijan.

13

Khimar

When used to refer to a specific garment, a khimar is usually a circular head covering with a hole cut out to reveal the face. The fabric usually falls to the waist or just above the waist, covering the hair, neck, chest, and shoulders completely. This design is similar to other hijab styles, but the lengths of the fabrics set them apart. For example, the bukhnuq is a similar head covering, but it ends at the bosom rather than at the waist.^{[13]
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- The word “khimar,” originally, was used in the Qur’an to refer to a general headscarf (similar to how “hijab” is used in modern language).
- As Abdul-Zahir explains it, “the word ‘hijab,’ in the Qur’an, is not used to describe a head covering—it’s a partition between one person and another. What’s known as the head covering, traditionally, is called the ‘khima.’”^{[14]
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- Most Common In: Arab and North African countries, like Egypt and Morocco.

14

Niqab

The niqab is a common option for very conservative hijabs, as it consists of a veil that covers the entire head and face, with a small opening cut out for the eyes. There’s also a style of niqab, called the “half niqab,” that is tied onto the bridge of the nose and only covers the lower half of the face. Both variations are usually worn with a loose garment that covers the rest of the body.^{[15]
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- Most Common In: Saudi Arabia, as well as regions of North Africa, South Asia, and some Gulf States.

15

Pashmina

A pashmina hijab consists of a long length of soft, luxe fabric that’s designed to be very warm and comfortable. This type of hijab is also very easy to use and customizable, as it can be draped around the body in various ways, allowing the wearer to personalize their coverage. Typically, however, a pashmina hijab will cover the head, hair, neck, and chest while leaving the face exposed.
- Most Common In: Kashmir (India) and other Himalayan regions, as well as the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.^{[16]
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16

Safseri

A safseri is a traditional veil that’s typically worn by Tunisian women. While it’s similar to other forms of head coverings (like the chador or dupatta), this garment is completely unique to Tunisia. The safseri consists of a large piece of cream-colored fabric that covers the entire body, but it traditionally leaves the face uncovered.^{[17]
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- Most Common In: Tunisia.

17

Shayla

A shayla is a common hijab style that consists of a long, rectangular scarf that’s wrapped around the head and tucked in around the shoulders. It’s similar to a typical hijab, and the words are often used interchangeably. However, a “shayla” always leaves the face uncovered, while a hijab may or may not cover the face.^{[18]
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- Most Common In: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and other Arab states within the Persian Gulf.

18

Toub

A toub is a long fabric wrap that’s worn over a dress or skirt. The fabric is usually bright or colorful with intricate patterns, and it loosely covers the head and most of the hair. Toubs are typically worn by Sudanese women, although they’re becoming less common with the popularity of modern clothing styles.^{[19]
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- Most Common In: Sudan.

19

Tudung

A tudung (or tudong) is very similar to the traditional hijab, shayla, or Al-Amira; however, the term “tudung” is more commonly used by Muslim women in Southeast Asia. The tudung covers the hair, ears, and neck but leaves the face entirely exposed. There’s also a similar garment called the kerudung, which is most common in Indonesia. The kerudung is the same as the tudung, except that it includes a sewn-in visor to shield the wearer from the sun.
- Most Common In: Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, and other parts of Southeast Asia.

20

Turban

While not a traditional hijab, a turban is a Turkish version of a headscarf or head covering. The scarf is wrapped around the head and then neatly pinned into place on the sides. The turban provides partial coverage and modesty while still allowing for a modern, chic look, making it popular in Western Muslim communities.
- For instance, turbans may be popular among Muslim communities in the U.S. Abdul-Zahir explains that, “because Americans don’t have a traditional Muslim dress, they’ll try to mix American culture with some other cultures. Sometimes you’ll see them dressed like Southeast Asians, Africans, or Saudi Arabians. It just depends.”^{[20]
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- Most Common In: The Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, West Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.