Halima Aden, a
Somali-American teen, isn’t your average pageant girl — and she’s not ashamed
about it. In fact, instead of donning a sparkly ball gown and a skimpy bikini
to compete, the young Muslim woman wore a traditional hijab and burkini
throughout the Miss Minnesota USA pageant on November 26
“A lot of people will
look at you and will fail to see your beauty because you’re covered up and
they’re not used to it, so growing up I just had to work on my people skills
and give people a chance to really know me besides the clothing,” Aden, who was
born in a Kenyan refugee camp, told Minneapolis’ Kare 11.
Her beauty was certainly evident to all onlookers at the competition.
Her beauty was certainly evident to all onlookers at the competition.
Liz Sawyer, a Star Tribune writer, tweeted that Aden
received roaring applause from the crowd when she took the stage in her navy
blue embroidered burkini during the swimsuit segment. She teamed the number
with a golden-colored headscarf and high-heeled booties.
And for the formalwear
portion, the St. Cloud State freshman looked as lovely as a rose in a
black-and-red gown featuring a skirt printed with blooms. “I feel like I’m here
to bust those misconceptions and stereotypes of Muslim women,” Aden said to ABC
5
Though Aden didn’t take
home the crown, she did make it to the top 15 — and she knows that her
competing meant more than a title. She told the Star Tribune that she received
grateful messages from parents and young women who have been bullied for their
religious wear. “That’s made me so proud to be a part of this,” she said. “Just
give it a try. You might not win, but maybe the fifth, sixth girl will win.
Don’t let anything get in the way.”
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