Halima Aden Quotes

Powerful Halima Aden for Daily Growth

About Halima Aden

Halima Aden is an inspiring Somali-American model, activist, and author who has broken barriers in the fashion industry as a hijab-wearing model. Born in 1997 in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya to Somali parents, Aden fled with her family to the United States at the age of seven, settling in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Growing up, she was influenced by strong, independent women in her community who encouraged her to embrace her cultural identity and pursue her dreams. Aden's career took off when she competed in the 2014 Miss Minnesota USA pageant at the age of 19. She became the first contestant to wear a hijab during the competition, challenging beauty pageant norms. Aden placed as the first runner-up and was soon signed by IMG Models, making history as the first Muslim model in burqini, a full-body swimsuit for modest swimming, in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2016. In 2017, Aden made her runway debut at New York Fashion Week for Khan Academy and Yeezy Season 5. She has walked for various designers including Alberta Ferretti, MaxMara, and Marc Jacobs. In 2018, she was named as a Global Ambassador for the United Nations' Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Aden's autobiography, "Here Is Where I Belong: A Daughter of Immigration and Refugees Right at Home in America," was published in 2021. In it, she shares her journey from a refugee camp to becoming a successful model, activist, and public figure, while highlighting the importance of cultural diversity and representation in America. Halima Aden continues to inspire young women around the world by breaking stereotypes, embracing her culture, and using her platform to advocate for refugees and immigrants. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and self-acceptance.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I want young girls, especially in my community, to see that you can be bold and confident and a practicing Muslim."

Halima Aden's quote emphasizes her desire for young Muslim girls, particularly those within her community, to observe and emulate self-assurance and boldness while maintaining their Islamic practices. This call-to-action signifies her intention to empower Muslim women by demonstrating that they can uphold religious values while also embracing individuality, confidence, and personal expression.


"The first time I wore a hijab was as a 10-year-old girl, living in a Kenyan refugee camp."

This quote by Halima Aden emphasizes that she began wearing a hijab (a traditional Islamic headscarf) at the age of ten, while residing in a refugee camp in Kenya. It underscores her early adoption of this religious practice and highlights her experiences as a young girl in a refugee setting.


"My mother always said, 'A woman without ambition is like a bird without wings.'"

This quote by Halima Aden highlights the importance of ambition in a woman's life, equating it to a bird's wings. It suggests that just as wings enable a bird to fly, ambition empowers a woman, providing her with the drive and motivation necessary for personal growth, success, and self-realization. In essence, this quote underscores the idea that women should aspire to reach their full potential and not limit themselves by complacency or passivity.


"If you have a dream, don't let anyone tell you it's not valid or possible."

This quote emphasizes the importance of individual aspirations and dreams, encouraging everyone to believe in their potential and persevere despite any naysayers or skepticism. It underscores the notion that dreams hold value and should never be dismissed or diminished by others. The message encourages resilience and determination to make one's dreams a reality, reinforcing that anything is possible with persistence and self-belief.


"I want to use my platform to empower women and girls, and show them that they can achieve anything they set their minds to."

This quote by Halima Aden signifies her desire to leverage her influence to inspire and motivate women and girls worldwide. By emphasizing that they possess the power to achieve any goal they aspire to, she encourages them to break barriers, challenge norms, and strive for greatness. This message embodies female empowerment and promotes the idea that every woman has the potential to make a difference in their lives and communities.


For me, being able to say that my first-ever photo shoot was with one of the most well-known and iconic fashion photographers in the world is unbelievable.

- Halima Aden

Iconic, Photo, Well-Known, Unbelievable

For a really long time, I thought being different was a negative thing. But as I grew older, I started to realize we were all born to stand out; nobody is born to blend in.

- Halima Aden

Thought, Born, Blend, Being Different

There are so many Muslim women that feel like they don't fit society's standard of beauty. I just wanted to tell them it's OK to be different; being different is beautiful, too.

- Halima Aden

Beauty, Muslim, Standard, Being Different

I never grew up seeing women that looked like me in magazines or on TV and didn't feel like I had a place in the world of fashion. I am honoured to be part of that change.

- Halima Aden

Like, TV, Looked, Honoured

I have much more to offer than my physical appearance, and a hijab protects me against 'You're too skinny,' 'You're too thick,' 'Look at her hips,' 'Look at her thigh gap.' I don't have to worry about that.

- Halima Aden

Against, About, Protects, Thick

I remember, when I lived in a refugee camp, it was the people who weren't Somali, the people who came from Western countries, who helped the most. I remember being six and thinking, 'I want to be one of those women,' because I knew how much they helped us.

- Halima Aden

I Remember, Remember When, Western Countries

I want to go see Somalia because I've never been there, and I feel like I'm missing out. I want to learn that heritage; I want to learn about my culture.

- Halima Aden

Learn, Like, Been, Missing

The fashion industry really welcomed me with open arms and open hearts. They've been very accepting of my faith. I have strict wardrobe requirements, and that's something they've upheld.

- Halima Aden

Been, Very, Requirements, Fashion Industry

I think it's important to be diverse, and I hope we continue to see that as a trend in the fashion industry.

- Halima Aden

Think, Trend, I Think, Fashion Industry

I will stand up for a girl who is being harassed or bullied for choosing to wear revealing clothes. I will stand up for that!

- Halima Aden

Will, Wear, Revealing, Harassed

Sometimes I'll go with a long hijab, or sometimes I'll wear my scarf and go somewhat business-y with a blazer. Every day is something new.

- Halima Aden

Every Day, New, Scarf, Blazer

I like shopping at retail places like JC Penney or Macy's, and maybe buying a top or a shirt, and then buying a skirt from Rue 21 or Forever 21 because they have the maxi skirts, which I appreciate so much, and then topping it off with something that I buy from a Somali shop.

- Halima Aden

Maybe, Buy, Shop, Skirt

To be honest, before I joined the industry, I knew very little about the fashion world, and I hardly knew any name brands. Probably because the price tags were a little too high, and home girl needed to work.

- Halima Aden

Needed, Before, Very, Hardly

When people put labels on us, it doesn't always enclose everything that we are. So even though I'm proud to be Somali, I'm proud to be American, at the end of the day, I'm still Halima, and I take things from both sides and combine them, and I make my own little category. I'm me!

- Halima Aden

American, Both Sides, Own, Category

I feel like with anything you choose to do in this world, there are always gonna be people who disagree. But I've had a lot more supporters than critics.

- Halima Aden

Always, Like, Gonna, Supporters

Back in high school, I didn't ever see a Muslim homecoming king or queen - there was never even anyone nominated. It just seemed for a lot of those events, Muslim kids were not being included, and it was probably our fault too - no one was going for it, but no one was trying to push us to do it, you know?

- Halima Aden

Queen, Back, Muslim, Homecoming

A lot of people had a misconception that I would be the perfect poster child for Islam. So I got a lot of Instagram comments like, 'Oh, you don't have your neck covered, you're not a Muslim!' My thing is, stop judging women, especially if you're a man, because you don't know the responsibility that comes with wearing a hijab.

- Halima Aden

Perfect, Muslim, Had, Poster

I know I got to do something that's one in a million, to escape a refugee camp, to come to this country and have so many doors open for me. So I want to go back and make a difference and give motivation or hope to all the kids that never got to leave or have the privilege that I did.

- Halima Aden

Motivation, Country, Back, Make A Difference

I mix things from my Somali culture and my American side.

- Halima Aden

Culture, Side, Somali, Mix

I love Somali foods like canjeero, a pancakelike bread; same for pizza, burgers, and sushi.

- Halima Aden

Love, Bread, Somali, Sushi

I want everyone to live to their full potential without having to fear someone will try to knock them down or discriminate against them.

- Halima Aden

Everyone, Knock, Having, Discriminate

It's always been hard trying to find the right pieces that go together, but it's always been something that interests me - finding new ways to be fashionable and cute but still being modest.

- Halima Aden

New, Always, Been, Fashionable

If you think people are against you and that you're a target, things will start appearing that way. I just go about my day, and I don't think anyone is out to get me.

- Halima Aden

Think, Will, Against, Appearing

Diversity and inclusion are always something industries should strive for.

- Halima Aden

Diversity, Inclusion, Always, Industries

When I was younger, I didn't have that type of person that I could look up to and be like, 'OK, this is someone who dresses like me and I relate to.' I didn't have that growing up, so to give that opportunity to a younger generation of women - and not just Somali women, but anyone who feels different - that means a lot to me.

- Halima Aden

Feels, Type, Lot, OK

I used to be so self-conscious about my braces that people thought I was shy - I just never talked. It took me a long time to realize, whatever, it's not like I'll have them forever, so I might as well enjoy it while I do!

- Halima Aden

Thought, Shy, About, Braces

I say this all the time, but my hijab, it really is my crown, and it's something that I bring to the table. It's something that makes me unique. It shows the world who I truly am.

- Halima Aden

Say, Bring, Makes, Table

When I was younger, I got bullied for wearing my hijab.

- Halima Aden

Younger, Wearing, Got, Bullied

I don't just want to support only Muslim women. I want to inspire women across the board, and I'm hoping they won't allow things to get in the way.

- Halima Aden

Want, Muslim, Allow, Board

We all have different things that make us strong and weak, but if we communicate and we really open ourselves and open our hearts, you're going to be amazed by the things that you can learn.

- Halima Aden

Strong, Communicate, Going, Different Things

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