If there’s one thing we learn from Halima Aden, it is her resilience. he world’s first hijab-wearing supermodel was born in 1997 in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. After living in the camp for seven years, Aden along with her mother and brother moved to the United States.

“Only 1% of us made it out of refugee camp,” said the supermodel.

Her career breakthrough happened when she became the first to compete in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant while wearing a hijab. But life wasn’t always easy for Aden. Being the only person with hijab at school, bullying was inevitable.

“Middle school was a weird phase. I think everybody got bullied,” said Aden at Jakarta Halal Things (JHT), a two-day event celebrating all things halal from fashion, beauty, food and finance held at Senayan City.

In July 2018, Aden was appointed as UNICEF ambassador, advocating for and empowering children at refugee camps after being forcibly displaced as a result of conflict. This year, she became an executive producer of a film highlighting the experience of refugees titled ‘I Am You.’

“I need to be the person the kids in the refugee camps can relate to. The greatest thing I could give them is hope,” said Aden as she graced the stage in white blouse and floral maxi skirt. 

Aside from her selfie tips and trick, here are the things we learn from her.

1. We always have a choice

“I don’t agree with the quote when life gives you lemon, make lemonade because not everyone has the cup, the spoon, sugar, water to make lemonade,” said Aden. “I have to make the most out of my life because of my past.”

2. Not every job is for me

Everyone who has been fashion crew knows that backstage of runway during fashion show is an organised chaos. Models are expected to follow the flow in order to ensure that the event goes well.

Aden, on the other hand, always travels with a woman companion, has separate fitting room set up for her at every fashion show and photo shoot. She will never compromise her hijab for work. That means the model has turned down a lot of offers.

“It gives me time to appreciate for those who accepted me and for those who took the time to understand me. It makes me so appreciative when things worked out.”

3. Don’t change yourself, change the game

At the end of her talk show, she made the audience repeat after her. “Don’t change yourself, change the game,” she chanted.

Aden was the first Muslim homecoming queen at her high school prom, the first Muslim student senator at university and the first hijabi-wearing model to appear in high-end fashion magazines. Her latest achievement was being the first model to appear in Sports Illustrated magazine wearing a hijab and burkini.

This quote is the testament to her work ethic and the way she approaches obstacles in life: “You will never know where that first step will bring you. If something scares you, then it must be something important,” she added.

Above all, as Aden put it, kindness, no matter what religion you are, is important. Good intention comes first