Moving to the U.S. was an adjustment. I noticed that the kids played in groups. Back in Kakuma, everyone played together.
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.
If there's one message I want people to take away is never compromise being your authentic self. Even if that means making others uncomfortable.
What I have learned is that designers are willing to tell the world that they are here to empower women from all different backgrounds and different walks of life.
My favorite part of modeling is backstage. Every day you work with different people, and as much as people learn about my story, I get to learn about theirs.
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.
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.
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.
Be who you are. It's easy to feel like you have to blend in, but it takes courage to live your life with conviction and embrace the person that you are.
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!
When I was younger, I got bullied for wearing my hijab.
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!
I feel like I'm here to bust those misconceptions and stereotypes of Muslim women.
I feel bad for my little cousins who don't see themselves being represented, or the little girls in my community who won't have a chance to see a Disney princess... who resembles them.
I want everyone to live to their full potential without having to fear someone will try to knock them down or discriminate against them.
My mom and grandma, growing up, one thing they emphasized was that you need to make sure that anything you put on your skin is also digestible by the body. For example, if something isn't safe for me to eat or consume, it's probably not good for your face. So I do a lot of natural remedies.
Shopping for hijabs has always been fun for me. I was so excited to begin wearing a headscarf. I had always looked up to my mother as she wore hers, and I was eager to emulate her beauty and the wonderful things she represented.
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!
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.
I think it's important to be diverse, and I hope we continue to see that as a trend in the fashion industry.
