Halima Aden: The first model to wear hijab, she stopped modeling saying “I lost my prayers, I cried in hotel rooms”

Somali-born American model Halima Aden, known as the first hijab model, has announced that she will no longer go to fashion shows, saying that working in this industry has forced her to compromise her religious beliefs.

“The coronavirus epidemic gave me the opportunity to stop and reflect on my values ​​as a Muslim woman,” said Aden, who became famous after participating in a beauty pageant in Minnesota at the age of 18 wearing a hijab.

Aden, 23, who was born in a Kenyan refugee camp and arrived in the United States at the age of six, said modeling was against her religious beliefs and said, “Being in a headscarf was a really bumpy trip for me. I just blame myself for focusing on opportunities rather than taking risks. “he spoke.

Stating that she has lost her prayers many times due to fashion shows, she had to cover her head with a cloth when she couldn’t wear a veil on the podium, Aden said: “After a few shows, I sobbed in the hotel rooms. It was not me”.

Bella and Gigi Hadid and Rihanna also supported this decision by Halima Aden, who lamented “the lack of Muslim designers who understood why wearing the veil is important” in the fashion industry.

Joining IMG models after competing in Minnesota, Aden modeled for Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty and Kanye West’s Yeezy brands.

Eden; It was the cover of British Vogue, Vogue Arabia and Atture magazines.