Halima Aden made a powerful statement about being in fashion and has decided to take a break, saying that the industry has forced her to compromise her religious beliefs. Halima made her New York Fashion Week debut in 2017, becoming the first Muslim hijab-wearing supermodel at just 19. Three years later, the 23-year-old Somali-American model is rethinking her role as a fashion model because of how her hijab was incorporated into photo shoots, campaigns for brands, and even runway shows. Halima shared a lengthy Instagram Stories post, writing an apology to her followers, especially Muslim women who have looked up to her as a role model.
“As I’ve said many times, being a minority inside of a minority is never easy. Being a Hijabi is truly a journey with lots of highs and lows, but with that being said, my hooyo macaan (mother) has been pleading with me for years to open my eyes,”…