Minnesota Woman the First to Wear Hijab in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
After being the first woman to wear a hijab in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant, she's now the first to represent the Muslim community in Sports Illustrated. Halima Aden wears a hijab along with a burkini in the annual Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Halima Aden is the newest member of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit family, making history as the first Muslim model to wear a hijab and burkini in the magazine. - Sports Illustrated.
The 21-year-old model was born in Kenya and lived in a refugee camp until she was 7. She now calls Minnesota her home. According to Sports Illustrated, for her photo shoot, they took back to her native country to pose on Watamu Beach.
Growing up in the US, I never really felt represented because I never could flip through a magazine and see a girl who was wearing a hijab - Halima.
The issue hits newsstands May 8. Sports Illustrated representatives say they "strive to continue to spread the message that whether you are wearing a one-piece, a two-piece, or a burkini, you are the pilot of your own beauty."