Burqa

File:Burkha-child-Afghanistan.jpg

Women with a burqa and a child, in Afghanistan

File:Afghanistan-babasteve.jpg

A woman with a burqa, with man and child, in Northern Afghanistan

A Burqa is a piece of clothing. It is worn by some Muslim women. They can wear it as an outer garment. It only leaves a semi-transparent mesh in front of the woman's eyes, so she can see. The rest of the body is covered by it.

Other garments for Muslim women that cover less of their body are the hijab and the niqab. People often confuse the hijab and the niqab and call it burqa instead.

In Islamic texts

The Quran does not say that women need to cover their faces with a veil, or cover their bodies with the full-body burqa.

Burqas around the world

File:Burka ban world map.svg

Full-face veil ban in the world as of 2025:      Full-face veils (like the burqa and niqab) are totally banned in public.     Full-face veils are banned in some localities.     Ban on sale and manufacturing of full-face veils.     Full-face veils are banned in public buildings, public transport and while driving a vehicle.

File:Full-face veils ban in Europe.svg

Full-face veils ban in Europe as of 2025:
     Full-face veils (like the burqa and niqab) are totally banned in public.      Full-face veils are banned in some localities.      Full-face veils are banned in public buildings, public transport and while driving a vehicle.

In France, Italy, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Latvia, Bulgaria, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Tunisia, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands wearing a burqa (and the niqab) in public is illegal. And in more countries, it is illegal to enter a government building, public building, public transport, schools, or to drive a vehicle with a burqa (or a niqab).

Burqa Media

• Burqa Afghanistan 01.jpg

  Women wearing Burqa in Afghanistan

• Temple of baal07(js).jpg

  Pre-Islamic relief showing veiled Middle Eastern women, Temple of Baal, Palmyra, Syria, 1st century AD (in Iran)

• A Coptic woman of the Poorer Class. (1918) - TIMEA.jpg

  Coptic Orthodox Christian woman wearing a garment with a Christian head covering (1918)

• A painting of burqa-clad Afghan women in Kabul, 1840

• Burqa seller in Afghanistan.jpg

  Chadaree in Afghanistan

• Burqa women waiting, Herat, Afghanistan.jpg

  Local Afghan women wearing burqas on a street in 2009

• Françoise Foliot - Afghanistan 059.jpg

  Women wearing burqas of different colors in Afghanistan in 1975

• Muslim and Hindu women stand in a queue to cast their votes.jpg

  Muslim and Hindu women stand in a queue to cast their votes in Muzaffarnagar.

• Shalim.JPG

  A member of the Haredi burqa sect in Meah Shearim, Israel