“Aren’t you feeling hot?!”

The summer has already begun. It is a wonderful time of the year when we enjoy fresh fruits and the caressing sun that gives us vitamin D every day.

However it is the season of scorching heat and a lot of people feel sorry for Muslim women who have to cover themselves outside. People keep wondering “aren’t they hot?!” Let us find out together whether Muslim women are so hot in hijab and should we feel sorry for them in this regard. Indeed, hot weather can cause some difficulties, especially when the humidity is high.

But the stunning fact is that a covered girl can handle the heat much more easily than anyone wearing shorts and a T-shirt. How is this possible? If you remember the Bedouins, living in hot deserts of Arabia and Egypt, we will see that they wear a jilbab (long shirt) made of woolen fabric. What for? Well, it is all very simple! In the same way as a blanket warms us in winter, a layer of natural fabric prevents excessive heating of the skin in summer, so it is much easier for a person who has covered his skin from the sun’s rays to endure even the most intense heat.

In this case, one’s body temperature does not rise and a person is not hot. But not every fabric may protect us from the sun. There are few tricks to meet the challenge. Wearing something light, breathable and loose will certainly help you avoid sweating and discomfort.

Now, which fabrics are the most comfortable in summer - linen, cotton, silk, chintz or fine wool? All synthetic fabrics (acrylic, nylon, etc.) should be avoided. Contrary to popular belief, exposing your skin for tanning is not a good idea. Wearing long sleeves and covering your body not only protects your skin from harmful sun damage, but actually serves as a barrier against overheating

You have probably noticed that the skin looks more beautiful and younger in those parts of the body that are inaccessible to the sun’s rays. Dermatologists also confirm that the face and hands are the first to age, since they are the ones least protected from the effects of frost, wind and sun. Therefore, if you want to enjoy the summer, you should choose light cotton fabrics for your outfits!

Choose modest style

Our clothes should be loose, and by no means tight on the body. Wearing loose clothing helps air circulate around the body and keep us cool. Whereas tight-fitting clothing retains moisture and body heat and makes us sweat and feel uncomfortable. And again we see how beautiful our religion is: everything is considered to the smallest detail and is aimed at our benefit!

Relax on the beach

A trip to the sea in summer is a long awaited benefit for everyone, including the woman in the hijab. Despite the fact that halal hotels have provided many opportunities for Muslim women, such holidays were associated with some difficulties until recently. People were confused and surprised when they saw a Muslim woman in a hijab on the beach. But fortunately, there is now no shortage of Muslim swimwear in the modern world.

1. A durable beach bag and towel. You may turn your beach towel into a prayer rug!
2. A burqini.
3. A tiltbonnet. (By the way, it is very stylish to combine a hat band with the right coloured hijab.)
4. Sunscreen, SPF lip balm and slippers.
5. An interesting book.
6. A breathable hijab.
7. Sunglasses.

This is how by wisely approaching the choice of clothes and accessories, each of us can get maximum pleasure and benefit from the summer!

AMINA EVPATOVA As-Salam corresponden