Niqab
A face veil worn by some Muslim women that covers the face while leaving the eyes visible. It is commonly worn with other modest clothing.
Hijab: A practice of modest dress and conduct in Islam, also commonly used for a headscarf that covers the hair and neck. The hijab covers the hair but usually leaves the face uncovered, unlike the niqab.
Religious dress: Clothing worn to express, fulfill, or identify with religious commitments and traditions. The niqab is a form of religious dress whose meaning depends on personal and communal contexts.
Islamic jurisprudence: The scholarly interpretation and application of Islamic law using sources such as the Quran, hadith, and juristic reasoning. Juristic traditions differ over whether covering the face is obligatory, recommended, or not required.
S.A.S. v. France: A 2014 European Court of Human Rights case upholding France's ban on concealing the face in public places. The case tested a legal challenge brought by a Muslim woman who wore the niqab.
Secularism: A principle or political arrangement separating religious institutions from state authority, with varied meanings across societies. Governments invoke differing models of secularism when regulating religious clothing such as the niqab.
Burqa: An outer garment covering the body and face, typically with a mesh screen over the eyes. The burqa covers the eyes behind a screen; the niqab leaves them visible.
Religious freedom: The right to hold, change, and manifest religious beliefs, individually or with others, subject to legal limits. Debates over niqab restrictions often concern the freedom to manifest religious belief.
Quran: The central religious text of Islam, regarded by Muslims as divine revelation to Muhammad. Interpretations of Quranic passages on modesty inform arguments about face veiling.
European Court of Human Rights: An international court that rules on alleged violations of the European Convention on Human Rights. It assessed whether France's face-covering ban violated rights relevant to niqab wearers.
Religious accommodation: Adjustments to rules or practices that enable people to observe religious commitments without undue disadvantage. Accommodation debates ask whether institutions should adapt policies for niqab wearers.