Halima Aden, 19, a Somali-American Muslim who made history in Minnesota in the U.S. on November 26, is proof that big things certainly can come in small packages.
As reported by the Star Tribune, the small-statured, big-hearted teen wore a hijab throughout the 2016 Miss Minnesota U.S.A competitions, as well as donning a burkini during the contest’s swimsuit phase.
While Halima, who was born in a Kenyan refugee camp, made the semi-finals, she didn’t advance to the finals.
However, this news didn’t break her stride; Halima admits that by competing in what she felt comfortable wearing, she hopes has encouraged others across the world to do the same.
“For a really long time, I thought being different was a negative thing,” she tells Kare 11. “But as I grew older, I began to realise that we are all born to stand out; nobody’s born to blend in. How boring would this be if everybody was the same?”
Halima also told the Star Tribune that she believes that no matter what you wear or what you look like, everybody, in their own way, is beautiful.
“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,” she says.
“I think it’s sad when a woman thinks that she’s not beautiful… when, really, everybody has something to bring to the table.”
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