Independent – by Olivia Petter
An aspiring model has become the first Miss Maine pageant contestant to wear a hijab on stage.
Hamdia Ahmed was born in Somalia and raised in a refugee camp in Kenya and hopes to be scouted by a modelling agent.
She now lives in the US and studies political science at the University of Southern Maine.
https://twitter.com/hamdia_ahmed/status/942924988260212736
The young beauty took part in the annual competition wearing two outfits, both of which were paired with a hijab.
In one of the two photos that she uploaded to Twitter, Ahmed can be seen wearing a long-sleeved gold gown paired with a sparkly pink hijab for the eveningwear segment.
In the second, which she presumably wore for the swimsuit portion of the contest, Ahmed donned a pink and black burkini.
According to Ahmed’s Twitter post, which has been liked 7,400 times, the clothes were provided by Modanisa, a reputable fashion e-commerce brand aimed at Muslim women.
Despite not winning first prize – which was awarded to 22-year-old army national guard sergeant Marina Gray – Ahmed was proud to have simply taken part, writing on Twitter: “I competed in Miss Maine as the first Muslim girl with a Hijab. I slayed my hijab”.
Speaking to The Independent, Ahmed explained that she chose to compete “because representation is important”.
“I didn’t take the crown, but it was an amazing experience.
“I want to inspire other girls to feel beautiful, confident and follow their dreams no matter where they’re from.”
The pageant took place in the Holiday Inn in Portland on 27 November.
All contestants were between the ages of 18 and 28.
According to the pageant’s website, judges spend time with each of the contestants to get a sense of their talents, goals and ambitions.
I hope a modeling agency signs me soon. This has been my dream since I was a child.😌🙏🏽
— Hamdia Ahmed (@Hamdia_Ahmed) December 21, 2017
This forms a crucial part of their judging criteria, in which they assess their poise, charm, confidence and communication skills.
In the swimsuit section, the judges look for physical fitness, beauty and self-confidence.
In the eveningwear section, they examine each delegate’s sense of style, as they choose the gowns themselves.
The idea is that whoever wins the pageant becomes a spokesperson for community service programmes and local charities while inspiring confidence and poise in young women.
Remember The Three Stooges episode when they spun the turban off the Arabian guys’ head?
For me, the hibab will go down in history as one of the greatest symbols of oppression. Right up there with the sickle and hammer and the boot on the neck. I cannot look at it and remain calm.
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I cannot look and remain calm. well said. Start calling people associated with this, and tell them to stop the social engineering now. Isn’t this a trump enterprise?
Could be. He has his hands in almost everything.
Ahh, where is my country?
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….and don’t forget those habits worn by the catlick nuns……had eight years of indoctrination by those penguins…..you know, sometimes I couldn’t tell if there was a man or woman under that garb……….hahaha
The kicker here is she will WIN
Ahh, where is my country?
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How diverse. She can masquerade as choo choo Charlie good and plenty AND c3po!
But seriously, admitting to slaying while wearing a hijab is not helping your image any.
Galen My country small , I have 60 ac
Open borders?
🙂
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Open to close family
As it should be.
🙂
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