Loading ...1st Fully Covered Muslim Contestant Competes In Miss Minnesota USA
“A lot of girls were very supportive of what I’m doing, and that just makes it all worth it and my advice to them is just be confident in your own skin, know that an extra layer of clothing does not define your beauty, because beauty is within,” Aden explained, according to ABC 7.
Aden walked onstage Saturday in a full-coverage swimsuit and hijab, to “big cheers from the crowd,” according to Liz Sawyer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
“She’s making history tonight,” the announcer noted.
Halima Aden starts off Miss Minnesota USA’s swimsuit segment to big cheers from the crowd. Announcer: “She’s making history tonight.” pic.twitter.com/OUvbHv6xct
— Liz Sawyer (@ByLizSawyer) November 27, 2016
Another round of big cheers for Halima Aden during the evening gown portion of Miss Minnesota USA. pic.twitter.com/0vZJ4EoqwI
— Liz Sawyer (@ByLizSawyer) November 27, 2016
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Aden aims to become an ambassador to the U.N. one day, after graduating from St. Cloud State University, where she is currently a freshman. Her choice to enroll in the pageant has been a point of contention between the teen and her mother, and proved controversial within her Somali community. But Miss Minnesota’s executive co-director, Denise Wallace, told the Star Tribune that pageant officials supported Aden’s choice to don traditional dress because the event’s goal is to encourage “women to be confidently beautiful.”
“The organization continues to evolve as women evolve,” Wallace told ABC 7. “The Miss Universe organization is proud to be the forefront of the diversity of beauty.”