Laws have been passed in France and Belgium to ban face-covering clothing, popularly described as the ' burqa ban', although it does not apply to the hijab, rather to all face coverings ranging from the niqab to bodysuits. In several countries in Europe, meanwhile, the adherence to the hijab has led to political controversies and proposals for a legal ban. The hijab in these cases is seen as fundamentalism against secular government. In some Muslim majority countries (like Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia) there have been complaints of restriction or discrimination against women who wear the hijab. Kosovo (since 2009), Azerbaijan (since 2010 ), Tunisia (since 1981, partially lifted in 2011) and Turkey (gradually and partially lifted) are the only Muslim-majority countries which have banned the burqa in public schools and universities or government buildings. They have also targeted those who seek to impose the hijab. Meanwhile, in Gaza, Palestinian school officials have voted to require young girls to wear hijab, while Palestinian jihadists belonging to the Unified Leadership (UNLU) have rejected a hijab policy for women. In countries such as Saudi Arabia, the hijab is not required.

In the Indonesian Aceh province, Muslim women are required to wear the hijab and all women are required to do so regardless of religion in Iran and Afghanistan.

Wearing hijab is mandatory in some Muslim countries, and optional or restricted in other majority Muslim and majority non-Muslim countries. In modern usage, ḥijāb ( hijab) generally refers to the various headcoverings frequently worn by Muslim women.

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