The Somali American supermodel Halima Aden has announced her depart from runway shows and the world of glitz and glamour, owing to her Religious beliefs. The Muslim model arrived at this decision after being forced to compromise her Islamic views and traditions, which she is not giving up ever.
The 23 year old Halima Aden holds the title of being the first ever high profile model to wear Hijab and walk for major fashion labels, including Kanye West’s Yeezy and Miss Minnesota USA pageant. Additionally, the starlet also became the first model to wear a hijab on the covers of British Vogue and Allure and also wore a hijab as piece of her outfit for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, representing her Muslim identity whenever and wherever she posed.
However, this chapter is coming to a halt, as the dignified Halima Aden has taken a step back from the showbiz, to focus on herself, her religion and her faith.
Halima Aden quits fashion industry
On Wednesday, the IMG model Halima Aden posted a series of stories on her Instagram handle, declaring her quit from the world of fashion. Aden stated the fashion industry forced her to stray from her religious beliefs. Her job made her more detached from her identity and hence, backing off is the wise option. “If my hijab can’t be this visible — I’m not showing up.” – Came from Halima.
Aden revealed how 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.”
Regretting her past decisions, Halima Aden continued, “I can only blame myself for caring more about opportunity than what was actually at stake.”
“I have finally realized where I went wrong in my personal hijab journey.”
In another post, Aden spoke about the feeling that comes from being “a minority within a minority”, adding: “What I do blame the industry for is the lack of Muslim women stylists ho could understand why wearing a hijab was so important.”
Reassuring her decision, she stated, “They could call me tomorrow and not even for $10 million would I ever risk compromising my hijab ever again,” Aden also pledged to never take part in runway shows or travel for fashion months again, adding that “that’s where all the bad energy came from.”
Moreover, not ending here, Halima Aden also praised the critically renowned celebrity Rihanna, mentioning how she allowed her to wear a hijab as she pleased. Sharing her portrait from Rihanna’s fashion house Fenty, Halima concluded, “Sis let me wear the hijab I brought to set. This is the girl I’m returning to, the real Halima.”
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Gigi Hadid backs Halima
The massively popular model American model and actress, Gigi Hadid extended her support towards Halima Aden. Gigi, through an Instagram story, supported the model’s decision and said that it was important to “self-reflect” on one’s journey while she praised Halima for stepping back for her own reasons.
“Everyone should go check out @Halima’s story right now. It is 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.” she wrote.
“I learnt through therapy once that if we are assertive with our boundaries, it does not mean that we are ungrateful for opportunity, and it will lead to an end result that does not feel hollow, one where we do not feel take advantage of. Learning that helped me so much. My sis Halima, you have inspired me since the day I met you and you continue to make me proud. Keep shining, big love.”
About Halima Aden
Halima Aden was born in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. At the age of six, she permanently moved to the United States, settling in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Aden started her fashion career in 2016, when she received national media attention after competing in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant, becoming the first contestant in the pageant to wear a hijab.
Since then, Halima has appeared in various grand ramp walks and magazine, with her signature head hijab and a burkini sometime.
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