Muslim Contestant Becomes First To Wear Hijab During Miss Minnesota USA Pageant
- 7 years ago
A Muslim teenager has made history by following traditional dress practices throughout the Miss Minnesota USA pageant over the weekend.
A Muslim teenager has made history by following traditional dress practices throughout the Miss Minnesota USA pageant over the weekend.
According to USA Today, 19-year-old Halima Aden wore a hijab during the entire event and a burkini during the swimsuit portion.
Aden is quoted as saying to KARE, “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.”
Pageant officials were reportedly supportive of her decision to stay true to her religious traditions, with Denise Wallace, director of Miss Minnesota USA and Miss Minnesota Teen USA, commenting that “The Miss Universe organization is proud to be the forefront of the diversity of beauty.”
Aden was placed in the top 15 at the pageant, but did not make in the top 5, notes the Huffington Post.
She hopes that her involvement in the event can widen people’s views on Islam and about being different in general.
A Muslim teenager has made history by following traditional dress practices throughout the Miss Minnesota USA pageant over the weekend.
According to USA Today, 19-year-old Halima Aden wore a hijab during the entire event and a burkini during the swimsuit portion.
Aden is quoted as saying to KARE, “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.”
Pageant officials were reportedly supportive of her decision to stay true to her religious traditions, with Denise Wallace, director of Miss Minnesota USA and Miss Minnesota Teen USA, commenting that “The Miss Universe organization is proud to be the forefront of the diversity of beauty.”
Aden was placed in the top 15 at the pageant, but did not make in the top 5, notes the Huffington Post.
She hopes that her involvement in the event can widen people’s views on Islam and about being different in general.