Hijab

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Hijab

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun

Pronunciation

hih-JAAB  /hɪˈdʒɑːb/

Definition

A head covering worn in public by some Muslim women, typically covering the hair and neck but leaving the face visible; more broadly, the concept of modesty in Islamic law, covering both dress and behaviour.

Plain meaning

A hijab is the headscarf worn by many Muslim women, covering the hair and neck. In its broader Islamic legal sense, hijab refers to the principle of modesty that governs dress and behaviour for both men and women. The practice and its legal and cultural dimensions are diverse across Muslim communities worldwide.

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Neutral. Hijab is the standard English term for the Islamic headscarf and for the broader modesty principle. It is used in legal, journalistic, academic, and everyday contexts. It has been the subject of significant political and legal debate in many European countries.