The niqab in Islam

Niqab

The niqab is a combination of a head covering and scarf that covers all of a woman's face except for her eyes. It usually flows down to the mid-back to cover a woman's hair, and may flow down to the mid-chest in the front. It is most often worn in Arab countries, but an increasing number of Muslim women in the west are choosing to wear it. Although the majority of scholars agree that hijab is obligatory, only a minority of them say that the niqab is.

Sources:  http://www.channel4.com/news/from-hijab-to-burqa-a-guide-to-muslim-headwear