Jordanian Muslim Woman's Head Covering: "Hijab"

This "hijab," Arabic for screen or curtain, is worn by Muslim women beyond the age of puberty in the presence of non-related adult males. The word can refer to any head, face, or body covering worn by Muslim women or men that conforms to a certain standard of modesty.

"Hijab," Arabic for screen or curtain, is a veil that covers the head which is particularly worn by a Muslim female beyond the age of puberty in the presence of non-related adult males. It can further refer to any head, face, or body covering worn by Muslim women or men that conforms to a certain standard of modesty.

The practice of hijab among Muslim women is one based on religious doctrine, although the Qur'an does not mandate it. A section of the Qur'an states, “O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close around them. That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed...” Another section asks women to draw their cloak over their bosoms that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except to the men and small children of their families.

Traditionally, Muslims have recognized many different forms of clothing as satisfying the demands of hijab. Debate focused on how much of the male or female body should be covered. Different scholars adopted different interpretations of the original texts.
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hijab http://postcolonialstudies.emory.edu/women-islam-and-hijab/#ixzz2Y0oTeQwK