Hijabs

The hijab, in the context of most Western discussions, refers to Muslim women’s head and body covering. Islam has often been the subject of criticism by feminists and others who believe that the hijab is a symbol of oppression, of secondary status. In Saudi Arabia and Iran, women are required to wear the national version of Islamic dress or else face punishment. Although there are verses in the Quran prescribing modesty in dress, some scholars argue that neither the Quran nor Muhammed himself required the hijab of women. In fact, according to some interpretations, the idea of wearing headscarves originated with Muhammed’s wives, who wore them as a sign of status; only later did the wearing of hijab by women became a social custom and, much later, expected and/or compulsory.

Sources: Karen Armstrong's Muhammad: Biography of the Prophet; Wikipedia