The act of veiling fulfills the Islamic obligation to establish modest dress and character.
Many Muslim women wear the hijab out of a desire to fulfill a commandment of God. For some, it is also an opportunity to outwardly express their Muslim faith. And for still other women, it is additionally a rejection of societal standards that constantly seek to objectify and sexualize women.
Although often overlooked in discussions of hijab, men have their own version of it. Though they are not obliged to cover their entire bodies, they too have specific requirements of dress and behavior that must be dignified and modest.