A covering or veil is a piece of clothing that is used to cover the head, face, or anything which has a symbolic importance or sacredness. Though the issue on veiling is not very clearly documented in Muslim writings, it is commonly associated with women and holiness. The veil is worn by Muslims to show respect to an object or as an expression of their cultural identity. A veil can either be a loose scarf over the head or a part of the whole body cloak that covers every inch of the body. There are various types of Muslim veils, such as the partial coverings like hijab, niqab, shayla, and al-amira, and the full-body ones such as burqa and chador. A woman's culture and sect of Islam can influence what type of veil she wears. Hijab is basically a scarf that is used to cover the hair and the neck, but not the face. It is a square or rectangular piece of cloth which is folded, put over the head, and tied under the chin as a headscarf. After attaining puberty, Muslim women wear the Hijab when in the presence of adult males or adult non-Muslim females who are not from their family. These scarves are available in various colors and shapes, and are often matched with the woman's outfit. This scarf can be called a shayla or esarp in some countries. It is most commonly worn by Muslim women all over the world. The niqab is a scarf or a combination of head veil and scarf that covers the head, ears, and neck, but not the eyes. It often extends till the middle of the back and down to the middle of the chest area. The niqab can be worn with a burqa or other clothing. It is commonly worn in the Arabic countries in the Persian Gulf like Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE, and some parts of Southeast Asia, Northern African Islamic countries, and in India. There are two kinds of niqab. One of the types is where both the forehead and the eyes are shown while the other type is where only the eyes show. The burqa is an outer garment that covers the whole body from the top of the head to the feet. The entire face is covered including the eyes with a mesh screen to see through. It is worn as a usual daily clothing by Muslim women in some Islamic cultures when going out in public and removed after returning home. It is the most concealing of all Muslim veils. It is commonly associated with the Afghan chadri. Burqas come in many different colors. A chador or chadar is an outer garment or an open cloak worn by women in public places in some parts of the Middle East, especially Iran and Saudi Arabia. It is a full-length semicircular fabric and is held together by hands at the front. There are no hand openings in a chador. It is tossed over the head and let to flow down over the clothing underneath. The face is not covered. Muslim women wear chadors with the hijab to show their modesty which is a vital aspect according to Islamic laws. Chadors are mostly black in color, but are available in other colors too. Popular in the Gulf countries, the abaya is a cloak worn by Muslim women when in public. These are long and loosely fitted garments which are worn over other clothing. They are usually worn with a hijab or a niqab. It usually has sleeves and is closed at the front with zips or buttons. It is worn from the head to the toes or over the shoulders. It is usually made of synthetic fiber. The khimar is a type of hijab that is tossed over the head and let to flow down to the middle of the back or till the waist. It covers the head, neck, and shoulders, but leaves the face uncovered. The Al-amira is on an average the mostly used veil by Muslim women around the world. It is a two-piece veil which consists of a cap that fits tightly on the head and a tube-like loose scarf to cover the face and neck. The cap is usually made from cotton or polyester. The shayla is a rectangular scarf or a form of hijab that is wrapped around the head and pinned at the shoulders leaving the face and some of the neck exposed. It is popular in the Gulf countries. It is usually made of a light silk material. An esarp is a long square-shaped scarf made of silk. It is worn commonly by Muslim women in Turkey. It is available is many patterns, prints, and colors. Tudung or tudong is a Malay word, which means cover or veil. It is a one-piece scarf worn as a veil by women in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. It covers the hair, ears, and neck but not the face. It also consists of a circular panel at the front which is adorned with various designs. It is worn as a dress code for office, schools, and formal occasions. Doa gaun is a clothing that is worn over any dress. It comes in two pieces, the gown and the headscarf. It is commonly worn in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. When going to a place for praying, they slip this over the clothing they are wearing and take it off after returning from worship. The dupatta is a rectangular piece of clothing used by women in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other Asian countries. They come in a wide range of colors and designs. The batula is a mask that is worn as a face covering. It comes in different styles. It is worn with an abaya or a burqa. It is common in United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, and Arabs of Southern Iran. Older women and those living in rural areas wear it. However, this style is gradually becoming less popular and has nearly died out in the newer generations. The jilbab is a long and loose-fitting coat or outer garment worn by some Muslim women. The entire body is covered except for the hands, face, and head. The jilbab is worn with a headscarf like a hijab or khimar to cover the head and neck, or with a niqab to cover the hands and face. Thobe or thawb is a traditional dress worn in the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, and other Arab countries. Also called Dishdasha, kandura, or jalabiya, thobe is an ankle-length loose garment with long sleeves. It covers the whole body down to the ankles. Wearing it expresses equality and it is also well-suited for hot climates. It is often worn with white trousers.