Halima Aden is an Somali-American fashion model. She has modelled for many magazines and she featured as Vogues first hijabi model.
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Halima was born in a Kenyan refugee camp to Somali parents before moving to America aged six.She was spotted by international modelling agency IMG Models at 18 while appearing in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant as a semi-finalist.
She was the first woman to wear a hijab in the pageant. And soon began to introduce modest dressing across the industry.
However Halima revealed how she felt that she had to compromise and never put her hijab first. Halima created a highlight speaking out on the situation. She has now quit runway modelling and told her followers how her mum “asked her to quit modelling a LONG time ago.” she said “I wish I wasn’t so defensive, she was literally the only person who had the purest intentions for me. The advice she gave me was DEEN over DUNYA”.
Writing on Instagram, she said the coronavirus pandemic had given her time to stop and think about what her values are as a Muslim woman.”Being a ‘hijabi’ is truly a journey with lots of highs and lows,” she said. “Fashion can wait. My deen cannot”.
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Halima receive support from stars such as Rihanna. Who replied to Halimas post and wrote “love you so much queen”.
Model Gigi Hadid also responded by saying “everyone should go check out Halima’s story right now. It’s so important as a hijabi or not, to self reflect and get back on track with what feels genuine to us. It’s the only way to feel truly fulfilled. If we are assertive of our boundaries it will lead to an end result that doesn’t feel hollow. My sis Halima you have inspired me since the day I met you and you continue to make me proud. Keep shining. Big love.
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Halimas posts show her talking about certain modelling campaigns she did for example, she did a photoshoot wearing jeans on her head and it was captioned ‘find your style’. She wrote “But… this isn’t even my style?? Never was. Why did I allow them to put jeans on my head?
Halima responded to being told to go back to her country by saying “actually thank you for that wonderful reminder! My beautiful country awaits me and I’m so excited to finally meet my motherland. I am going back to my COUNTRY. I will be the first Miss Somalia on the stage of Miss Universe. Fellow contestants get ready because I AM COMING”.
She ended her ‘story time’ by saying “Are you mad? Stay mad. Are you offended? Not my problem. Are you inspired? You should be.”
I am so proud of the gorgeous Halima for finding her true self and sharing her story with the world.
So… was Halimas decision abrupt or was it a long time coming? Do you think the fashion industry will finally accept hijabis into mainstream media? Let us know!
