Can someone explain to me why I see only Somali women wearing the Jilbab – even during the very hot summer? Do they not find it an inconvenience? Genuine question. What's wrong with a an abaya that is light on fabric weight?
With the jilbab they have excess fabric and constantly having to adjust to reach out with their arms. I also notice (although not exclusively) it’s women in our community who don’t speak much English. Coincidence – maybe…?
Can’t speak for all Somali women. I wear my jilbaab for Allah alone. I came to this conclusion when I learned my diin sincerely. Alxamdulilah I thank Allah for guiding me to wear it and protecting me from fitnah when wearing it. Being Muslim comes with certain tests so I understand that and I’m willing to appear as an outsider/stranger and not conform to the norm for my beliefs. It doesn’t really bother me as I am comfortable in my skin. I wear the jilbaab specifically as it covers my whole body without showing (accentuating) my figure. I don’t believe a khimar that is small can do all that. Plus I have seen the struggles of sisters who wear a khimaar when it’s windy. I also don’t want to be a blind follower of trends from Arabs or other groups.
Only people who never wore/don’t wear it make a big thing about the heat. It’s much cooler and better than having your skin exposed to direct sun. I laugh when everyone around me complains about the heat as I don’t feel it as much. They all believe I am feeling it worse than them. It’s a light fabric that is just longer. Little do they know.
The whole adjusting thing is only relevant when you wear something over it like a cardigan. Even then, it just depends on how active that person is being and how they placed it in the first place. Not a big deal.
