Do any Muslim women forego the hijab in a hot climate?

Question

It's so hot in Egypt even in the springtime, the summertime is much worse. Are there any Muslim women who leave their hijab at home during the hot days?

I have some hijabs and have tried them on indoors. This was during the winter and spring in Southern California, where we have nice weather. Even indoors, I couldn't stand it! (I'm not Muslim, but did buy some hijab for my trip to Egypt, if in case I needed it.) After a while, I had to take it off, it bothered me so much! It was hot, and annoyed the skin under my chin. It would be much worse if the skin was sweaty, 'cause it would get raw.

How do you Muslim women do it? And do you ever skip a day? What's it like? Curious.

I asked this question in the Travel - Africa & Middle East - Egypt section, and was told that Muslim women don't wear the hijab as a fashion statement, but to obey their religion. Before anyone here says the same thing, yes, I realize this. However, I'm asking about and not fashion.

Thanx.

Btw, I beg to differ on the fashion issue, as I've seen plenty of fashionable Islamic clothing for women, including very beautiful hijabs. Ah, but that's splitting hairs, and it's not my question anyway.

And to non-Muslims, no pot shots. Any I see will be reported. Be nice, y'all. ; ^)

Answer 1

Hello Dolores!

I will try to answer all your questions you asked in this and your other Q here...
When I first wore hijab (a few years ago) I asked the same question as you, Whether people would wear hijab according to weather and lesss wore it during summer..
And I was told no, women who wore hijab, wear it all the time, no matter how hot it is.
From my observations.. I think this is true.


Let me explain:

1)I think you just get used to the heat, and don't feel it too much.
When I first starting wearing hijab it was in the winter in the UK. So it was cold. Yet I felt sooooooooooo hot. But now I don't feel the heat at all, even when I'm in very hot countries like Egypt.

2)Also people in hot countries ie, Egypt. feel the heat differently. I remember going in February when it was about 20+ C. And for British me, it was very warm.. but for them it was cold. I saw little children wrapped in coats. Nothing to do with modesty. It was winter for them, and what is hot for us.. is not so hot for them...

3)In the hot weather you wear hijab of a different lighter material.. so it keeps cooler. And the traditonal clothes of loose long dresses are actually more cooler in the hot sun.
Many have said the traditional hijab was designed for the climate of the desert.

4)**" And do you ever skip a day"**
For me personally no. I did once go a day without a hijab. I felt so strange. I would never do it again. Once you start wearing hijab. Going without it, is like going topless.
Wearing hijab is a serious thing.. And it would be very rare for a woman not to wear it because of the weather...

However there are women who don't wear it all of the time. Maybe they wear it only for the mosque, to visit relatives, or during ramadan etc And depending where we are , we may modify our hijab. IE For me, In Europe I wear western clothes with hijab, but in Saudi Arabia I wear an abaya.

5)I have never had an itchy neck. There are many ways to tie your scarf. Maybe try another, Or maybe you have an allergy to the material?


6)But there are what I call " pratical hijab" where Muslim women would wear a more lax hijab.. when working, or if it is inconveient. For example in my local supermarket there is a Muslim girl that wears a t shirt with her head scarf because it is more comfy. In South East it is not uncommon to see t-shirts and hijab.
Also maybe if they are working in paddy field the women would role their trousers up etc ...


7)In Europe, at least, where we have the seasons. I have noticed that some women especially younger ones, do wear a kinda summer hijab style, that would be light colours, cooler material, and maybe showing some skin (which they shouldn't do if they were wearing proper hijab) such as 3/4 length sleeves, and capri pants etc.. They wear it because of the weather..but also to enjoy the summer :-)


8) For very young girls, when they still are getting used to the idea of hijab. In the winter their mum would put on a head scarf to wear, to protect them from the cold, and get used to the idea of wearing hijab.. but in the summmer they don't wear it.




*** Abouth wearing hijab as a tourist in Egypt. Egyptians say that there is not need... because it is true :p.. but also because they are wanting to be welcoming to tourists.. And to show that Egypt is not a fundamentalist country.. All of which is true...
But if you want to wear hijab ,, you should!. It is not strange or disrespectful. And when you wear it. they will be very pleased, and complementing you (I know from past experience!)****

Answer 2

I can tell you have never been caught in a sand storm in the desert. If you ever had you would know the real reason for women wearing the hijab and veils.
They were originally for protection against the elements like how blowing sand, and hot desert sun. But like the Jewish and Muslim mandates of eating Kosher evolved into a religious mandate.
Few people even think about the men covering their faces but they also cover their faces for protection against the desert sand and sun.
You get a chance sometime since you live in California go to the Mojave desert when they are having a sand storm and you'll see what I mean about the piratical reasons for wearing a hijab and the reason wearing them got started in the first place.
Same as for the robes. Much cooler that a shirt and pants since they form a more or less tent over your body and are loose enough to allow air to circulate.

Answer 3

Good question, Dolores. I have spent all my life in Muslim countries and right now I am in a place which would be termed as a "desert" in terms of terrain.
The answer is that yes, when it gets unbearable, women do resort to something which causes less discomfort. But there is a very very important thing that you need to understand here and which many people fail to isolate while judging religion (not you). The difference between a country's local customs, traditions and religious injunctions.
Some places are very conservative in their customs; the rural areas of the Indian subcontinent and African Muslim countries are prime examples. Other places (like where I am right now) are very liberal and leave such matters between the person concerned and God.
When the customs are strict, a woman must adhere to them unfortunately irrespective of the discomfort. The matter from a theological point of view though, is solely between her and God.
Bottom line: Unfortunately religion does not always over-weigh customs and yes women do that in many parts of the world to avoid discomfort.

Answer 4

I am not muslim and have never worn such a thing on my head... i have however always enjoyed hats and as this is not the custom anymore in the US I would like to know what is inappropraite about wearing hair tied and fashioned nicely about ones head while out in profession circumstances, working or alone?

Answer 5

Plenty - if you go to Jordan or Egypt you will see lots of muslim women in western dress

Answer 6

nothing wrong with that