The hijab is a type of headscarf or veil worn by many Muslim women as a symbol of modesty, privacy, and morality. It is a religious and cultural practice primarily associated with Islam. While the hijab is most commonly worn by Muslim women, it is also a common cultural practice for Muslims in the West, with a large majority of Canadian Muslim women reporting wearing some sort of head-covering in public, such as the hijab, chador, or niqab. The hijab has become increasingly visible in global metropolises and has been politicized in some contexts. It is also worn to signal pride in ethnic identity, and in some places, it is required by law. However, in most places, it is a matter of custom, and women choose whether to wear it. The hijab is a religious obligation that Muslim women choose to observe for a variety of reasons, including as an element of piety, to identify themselves as Muslim, to show cultural pride, and to value family traditions or local customs