Twenty-year-old hijabi model Halima Aden needs no introduction. The Somali-American teen last year made headlines as the first hijab wearing contestant in a popular pageant in the United States. The bold move catapulted her career to new heights, including being the first hijabi signed by a major modeling agency. My Salaam caught up with Halima, who was in Dubai last weekend to attend the Dubai Modest Fashion Week. She told us about her journey from refugee camp to runway and her plans to open the door for more hijabi women to pursue fashion. Read the full interview here:
runway. (Read the full interview here).

Dubai Modest Fashion Week was attended by popular modest fashion influencers, famous brands and buyers and showcased a number of collections by designers, including those introducing their first modest fashion lines. Here is the hit list of our favourite looks from the fashion-forward weekend, from runway highlights to street-style showstoppers.

Winter is the best time of the year to dress up because of the unlimited styling options that don’t just look modest but are also incredibly classy. At the same time, these modest outfits make sure that you stay warm without having to compromise on style. Check out what to have in mind when styling up your winter outfits this year.

Moving away from fashion, this week we sat down with some of the organisers of the UAE Astronaut Programme, which plans to send four Emirati astronauts into space. Participation in the recently announced initiative is a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity that should not be missed. Here are top 10 things to know if you are applying for the programme.

This week was also a big week for movie fans, with the opening of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). However, young and aspiring filmmakers and actors in the Middle East need a lot of help to propel them forward. This is why DIFF last year launched a programme called the ‘Arab Stars of Tomorrow’, adding to the festival’s many programmes to help create a film fraternity in the region. My Salaam takes a look at the second edition of the programme, which gives five rising film talents a platform to make their voices heard. And they have a lot to share.

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(Writing by Seban Scaria; Editing by Shane McGinley)

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