A niqāb or niqaab, also called a ruband, is a garment that covers the face, worn by some Muslim women as a part of an interpretation of hijab (modest dress).
The terms niqab and burqa are often confused; a niqab covers the face while leaving the eyes uncovered, while a burqa covers the entire body from the top of the head to the ground, with only a mesh screen allowing the wearer to see in front ofof her.
The niqab is widely worn by women in Arab countries around the Persian Gulf such as Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Usually also found and used by women in Pakistan, and some Muslim women in Western countries.
