Sports Illustrated Makes History By Featuring A Model Wearing A Burkini And Hijab
This year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue will be a little different this time, with the definition of ‘swimsuit’ widened to include the modesty garment known as a burkini. The full-body swimwear is modeled by stunning 21-year-old Somali-American Halima Aden, who was born in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya before moving to the United States aged 7.
Image credits: SI_Swimsuit
While most Americans are used to seeing women wearing skimpy swimsuits in the famous magazine, women across the world have been covering up at the beach for hundreds of years now. This could be for cultural and religious reasons, or simply to avoid catching too much sun.
Modesty was the norm when the first swimsuits were invented in the 19th century; women in Victorian England would cover themselves from head to toe in billowing robes and dresses. In 1920’s America, women were routinely arrested by ‘swimsuit police’ for baring too much skin, with zealous police officers guarding ‘morality’ by measuring the length of women’s swimsuits to ensure they conformed to regulations.
Image credits: Sports Illustrated
Eventually, the swimwear ‘rules’ were relaxed, as the impracticality of swimming in heavy clothing was accepted. Swimwear became smaller and more streamlined until we arrived at where we are today; the bikini has become the norm.
The same can’t be said of all cultures though. Just because our ‘morality’ has changed recently, it doesn’t mean that others have to follow. Muslim women especially can feel uncomfortable when baring skin at the beach and have been under-represented when it comes to swimwear options. To address this, the ‘burkini’ was invented in 2016 and was designed to cover the whole body except the face, hands and feet while being light enough for swimming
Image credits: Sports Illustrated
The acceptability of the burkini is still under debate in some countries, as many argue that the point in modesty dress for Muslim women is to cover the outline and curves of a woman’s body. However, for others, it is a perfectly good solution that meets common requirements for a woman to cover all parts of her body except her hands and face (including covering her hair) when in mixed company.
Islamic tradition is fluid and interpreted differently in different parts of the world. What applies in Tunisia or Malaysia, for example, is quite different from expectations in Saudi Arabia or Iran. So this debate is one to be had amongst Muslims themselves.
Image credits: Sports Illustrated
Either way, we think that Halima looks absolutely stunning in her swimsuit, which she shot back in Kenya with photographer Yu Tsai.
“Young girls who wear a hijab should have women they look up to in any and every industry,” she told the BBC. “We are now seeing politicians, businesswomen, television reporters, and other successful hijabi women in visible roles and that is the message we need to be sending.”
Image credits: Sports Illustrated
“The response has been incredible and I’m so honored that Sports Illustrated has taken the step to showcase the beauty that modestly dressed women possess.”
Image credits: Sports Illustrated
Image credits: Sports Illustrated
Predictably, the reaction has been mixed elsewhere, with those resistant to change complaining about the ‘Islamification of America’ and other such hyperbolic rantings.
Image credits: Sports Illustrated
Image credits: Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated has made an effort to better reflect the diverse nature of the world in which we live lately, featuring women of different ethnicity, body shape and age. This is simply another step in the right direction.
Besides, there are still plenty of ‘traditional’ scantily-clad models in the issue to get swimwear fashion tips from. Because, obviously, that’s the reason why most people buy it. Am I right?
Image credits: Sports Illustrated
What do you think? Would you wear a burkini to the beach if you found one that suited your tastes? Will you buy the swimwear issue this year? Why, or why not? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Image credits: halima
Image credits: Sports Illustrated
Watch the video for behind the scenes of the photoshoot:
“I never really felt represented because I never could flip through a magazine and see a girl who was wearing a hijab.” #ShatteringPerceptions pic.twitter.com/EtNfpszcmy
— Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit) April 29, 2019
Image credits: GiGiHadid
Here’s what people had to say about Halima’s groundbreaking photoshoot
49Kviews
Share on FacebookSo the religious opression of women are now something we should glorify?
Cesi Baca, you're talking about the countries that are ruled with sharia, not everywhere. I lived in Turkey for a few years, in there women can be Muslims and not wear hijabs, could wear shorts and swimsuits as well without getting stoned or even bad looks. It's between them and their God, not you and internet know it all's. This woman appears on sports illustrated, apparently is a model and can afford to live in a country where she feels more free, if she was oppressed into wearing a hijab and being a Muslim, wouldn't she remove it the second she left the country? Most people wear it, because they want to. Stop making s**t up about the things you've no idea about. Sincerely, an atheist who doesn't give a s**t about what people believe in or what they choose to wear.
Load More Replies...Burkinis undoubtedly are a relief to women who would otherwise not be able to go swimming. Representing diversity is always good. But why would women not be allowed to do whatever they please to, wearing whatever they deem right? This is the question that needs to be asked. I am always vowing for tolerance, but intolerance should not be met with tolerance.
Yeah. For me, it's so weird that we live in the world that piece of clothing is still more important, that actions. If there is a god (I won't use capital letters here) who judges you by this, isn't afterlife a hell then?
Load More Replies...And now we wait for the Islamic world to open up and allow those women who wish to be free and wear real bikinis to do so. Life is reciprocal.
You mean those guys who hadn't recorded their female swimmer's competition because “Her bathing suit was too revealing”?
Load More Replies...Lots of women around the world wear this so it's great for them to feel represented. But what is sad, is that many women feel that they must cover up, in order to protect themselves from 1) men that can't control themselves, and 2) judgement that they are whores if they don't.
3) And of course protection from being jailed for being "indecent" in some countries.
Load More Replies...Politics aside, though, with the increasing population of jellyfish, this might as well become the standard beachwear world wide.
OFFS people. I wear these suits too, and am not a muslim woman, because I love the environment and my skin (most are SPF 30+). I prefer not to wear tons of reef-killing sunscreen, and I love the water. Why can't covering oneself up be a fashion statement too?
The difference is obviously that YOU have a choice between this and a bikini, and a lot of Muslim women don't.
Load More Replies...Sorry, but saying that women should not wear this is just as oppressing as saying that women can wear only this. I live in a Western atheist country, I am not a muslim, but I prefer to cover myself every day of the year. I have to be free to do that without comments from people who think I should show more skin. And sexual harassment in particular is unfortunately everywhere - it is not connected to religions or countries, and definitely not to what the woman is wearing.
I think I'm a tolerant person, kinda the " live and let live " and "who cares?" tolerance . If I saw this on the beach I'd go on my way without a second thought. But there's a difference between tolerance and self righteous, publicity seeking pandering.
I know I would totally wear a burkini - why?? BECAUSE I ATE JELLYFISH!! Every time I go to the beach, I wear ugly SCUBA skins to keep from getting stung to death - why not wear something beautiful and colorful at the same time?? Avoid sunburn, not have to put on nasty oil, no jellyfish stings! Sounds like the perfect day at the beach to me!
you ate a jellyfish? that sounds nasty
Load More Replies...The idea of covering a womans body to avoid male harassment or for religion makes me uncomfortable. But this suits do not harm anybody and allow a lot of women to be anle to join the pools and beaches. I have a couple of muslim friends and they are quite sad because (even tought they are allowed) they dont feel comfortable going to the pool in a bikini and they are not allowed to go in a burkini so they cant play with their kids like other mums do. I understand how uncomfortable must be to wear a bikini if you never grew up with people normalizing it. It would be like of suddenly all the pools and beaches would become nudist only. A lot of people would be to uncomfortable to go (me included). This is similar.
I do not agree with underage kids wearing religious simbols (like the hijab) because I consider them too young to decide by themselves and they grow up separated from other kids. But adults are another thing. Adult women are capable to decide what is best for them and even tough I do not agree with religious symbols they should be free to choose to wear them (or to not wear them).
Load More Replies...The burkini is not only the ticket to be able to go swimming for Muslim women, which is very positive in itself, but I predict we will see this garment make fast strides into mainstream use among people with highly sensitive skin regardless of whatever religious beliefs they may or may not have. Did anyone ever hear complaints about wetsuits covering too much of the body? This garment makes sense, and therefore it would be wise to call it something else. This ought to be the first choice when it comes to beachwear for children.
People wear wetsuits mostly for warmth (though I, like many, wear a 1mm wetsuit to avoid wax rash, plus don't like chest and leg hair caught in the wax), not to cover themselves up.
Load More Replies...I can never understand people that freak out over different cultures. We don't get all up in the face of Amish women who wear hair coverings, or other AMERICAN religions that have "dress codes" for the women. Some don't cut their hair or they wear dresses all the time. Muslims are as much American as those people. It's a swimsuit! Part of our problem is pushing people in to categories, for good or bad. We need to remember we are ALL Americans. Does this effect your life in anyway? Most likely not. Stop whining about things that don't effect you for Pete's sake!
If a women wants to wear a garbage bag or run a round naked on the streets it is her choice! In any case love all women.. if they are not caring and respectable they are at least smooth beautiful and nice.
Miklos its is not religious oppression when people choose it, oppression comes from being forced to do something. Is it oppression to choose to go to temple ,church or Mosque ? or is it that you just have an issue with Islam so you want to pretend you are about people "rights" when actually you are not. For the record I am Atheist because I have religious freedom too just like she does.
But do people choose the religion and its trappings freely I wonder.
Load More Replies...At everyone saying that wearing a hijab and covering up skin is regressive and not feminist... you're literally policing that way women prefer to dress. Feminism is about women being able to wear what they want and express themselves without criticism from unintelligent a******s who don't know what they're talking about. Maybe before typing an inane comment on a subject you know nothing about, think before acting and teach yourself something.
False equivalence I think. It's called regressive because these women have no real choice.
Load More Replies...After having breast cancer I was told to stay out of the sun. I'm am a California girl that loves the beach and misses it in so many ways. I love the look of all of these bathing suits and I think most Doctors should approve them from getting skin cancer. I want the one at the very top. YES. Just to go to the beach again and smell the salt air and get in the water to cool off. Yes I as a Christian really want a few of these.
Yep take us back to 1910 when women had to wear full-body swimsuits.
Modesty is one thing - buried and smothered in fabric to keep you in your place is an entirely different issue.
A womans choice in apparel is her business and hers alone. People who have a problem with that have personal issues of their own which need addressing. She is beautiful and so are the clothes.
The religious police in some countries sadly disagree with you. We are lucky to live in more free countries.
Load More Replies...I think the Islamic style of "modest swimwear" is over the top, but there are many women who feel uncomfortable baring as much in public as modern swimwear prescribes. There's a far more comfortable-looking Israeli version of the "modest swimsuit" which might actually appeal to some older Western women.
It's like being in a cult... when you are born into it, you don't question it or ever think it's wrong. You're brainwashed into thinking it's the right thing, when really it's terribly wrong. These poor women :/
When a woman has freedom of choice she will be free. After living in America this young lady chose to wear a hijab where she was free not to. Don’t troll me with her father- he chose to come to America. Look around. There are many different religions here wearing a variety of garments and insignia. We forget that America got it’s first people who were wanting to practice their religion. As a nation we grew to fight for freedom from tyranny and we became the land that welcomed all religions and expects all to respect the other.
The Western 'Christian' people have their own taboos and clothing restrictions. Why else do people, women included, have the screaming abdabs about a women showing part of her breast to feed her baby? Some get all moral high ground about Muslim women being oppressed (without actually asking them individually if they feel oppressed), yet they are just as oppressed with the need to cover up nipples like they are wet genitals being forced into their face, and remove body hair because having it makes them some kind of neanderthal. But they won't see double standards.
These outfits are beautiful. I just wanted to know why would they have to give up their traditions and traditional clothing just because they live in America? Are we that narrow minded we would take away all they hold holy just so they can live in our country? I would hope not.
I respect and applaud her bravery and her love for her culture, but I wouldn’t consider this historic. However, this may be a huge milestone for their community and culture and we should respect that. She is very pretty and will probably make a successful career modeling and celebrating her culture and her traditions. Go girl!
The word "Brave" has basically lost all it's true meaning nowadays.
Load More Replies...What is hilarious is that a 7th century terrorist who beheaded entire tribes of Jews, took and traded slaves, raped little girls, married his son's wife, and sent assassins after a poet who made fun of him is still setting the dress code for women in the 21st century. No worse human has ever walked the earth than Mohammed and here people are honoring the religion he started as being "liberating" when it has both literally and figuratively enslaved more people than any other creed in the history of mankind.
You: talks how bad Muhammad (ASM) is Muhammad (ASM): is in abook of the most influential people side-by-side with Princess Diana
Load More Replies...I dare she uses makeup and those ugly burka things in any muslim country, bearing that big, and beautiful, smile.
I've never understood why we glorify the religious subjugation of women by religion. She is wearing a burkini because of the social stigma of male expectations in a male dominated religion. Or do Muslim men also have to wear a full head-to-toe body covering to go to the beach?
Dubai 5* Hotel Pool: SHE: slender in a black burkini, face covered to the middle of the cheeks, wearing black gloves, the pants till to her toes. Perfect makeup. HE: fat, extremely hairy except his scalp, wearing slightly to small swimming trunks belly hanging over, Wallowing in the shallow water. Commanding the Philippine nany. Something in this picture seems completely wrong to me.
Yeah.. Playboy Mansion make much more sense than that..
Load More Replies...Wow,the agenda is getting stronger and stronger.Bp likes to laugh about christians,but celebrates the "freedom" of suppression.Nice,keep it coming 😂
Sorry not sorry, not going to say this is great because it is oppression. When she can wear anything she wants then it will be great. She thinks their oppression is something to be celebrated and shared? truly brainwashed
I get tired by this .. I always wonder why all media and advertisement have to consistently push islam into everything. To be honest I don´t think that this ideology is so great that it would have to be "represented" literally everywhere. Quite the opposite.
Well, being a nonbeliever I can sympathize with what you are saying. That is the way I feel when Christianity is continually being shoved in my face, living in a predominantly Christian country as I do. Besides that, Islam is a religion, it is not an ideology.
Load More Replies...Allah means god. Christians in muslim countries call god Allah. You just dissed christians along with islam
Load More Replies...It's also an inane way to get around the "do not list after other women" rule in the holy book. I think it was supposed to remind men to have some self control, not cover women with meters of tablecloth.
Load More Replies...So the religious opression of women are now something we should glorify?
Cesi Baca, you're talking about the countries that are ruled with sharia, not everywhere. I lived in Turkey for a few years, in there women can be Muslims and not wear hijabs, could wear shorts and swimsuits as well without getting stoned or even bad looks. It's between them and their God, not you and internet know it all's. This woman appears on sports illustrated, apparently is a model and can afford to live in a country where she feels more free, if she was oppressed into wearing a hijab and being a Muslim, wouldn't she remove it the second she left the country? Most people wear it, because they want to. Stop making s**t up about the things you've no idea about. Sincerely, an atheist who doesn't give a s**t about what people believe in or what they choose to wear.
Load More Replies...Burkinis undoubtedly are a relief to women who would otherwise not be able to go swimming. Representing diversity is always good. But why would women not be allowed to do whatever they please to, wearing whatever they deem right? This is the question that needs to be asked. I am always vowing for tolerance, but intolerance should not be met with tolerance.
Yeah. For me, it's so weird that we live in the world that piece of clothing is still more important, that actions. If there is a god (I won't use capital letters here) who judges you by this, isn't afterlife a hell then?
Load More Replies...And now we wait for the Islamic world to open up and allow those women who wish to be free and wear real bikinis to do so. Life is reciprocal.
You mean those guys who hadn't recorded their female swimmer's competition because “Her bathing suit was too revealing”?
Load More Replies...Lots of women around the world wear this so it's great for them to feel represented. But what is sad, is that many women feel that they must cover up, in order to protect themselves from 1) men that can't control themselves, and 2) judgement that they are whores if they don't.
3) And of course protection from being jailed for being "indecent" in some countries.
Load More Replies...Politics aside, though, with the increasing population of jellyfish, this might as well become the standard beachwear world wide.
OFFS people. I wear these suits too, and am not a muslim woman, because I love the environment and my skin (most are SPF 30+). I prefer not to wear tons of reef-killing sunscreen, and I love the water. Why can't covering oneself up be a fashion statement too?
The difference is obviously that YOU have a choice between this and a bikini, and a lot of Muslim women don't.
Load More Replies...Sorry, but saying that women should not wear this is just as oppressing as saying that women can wear only this. I live in a Western atheist country, I am not a muslim, but I prefer to cover myself every day of the year. I have to be free to do that without comments from people who think I should show more skin. And sexual harassment in particular is unfortunately everywhere - it is not connected to religions or countries, and definitely not to what the woman is wearing.
I think I'm a tolerant person, kinda the " live and let live " and "who cares?" tolerance . If I saw this on the beach I'd go on my way without a second thought. But there's a difference between tolerance and self righteous, publicity seeking pandering.
I know I would totally wear a burkini - why?? BECAUSE I ATE JELLYFISH!! Every time I go to the beach, I wear ugly SCUBA skins to keep from getting stung to death - why not wear something beautiful and colorful at the same time?? Avoid sunburn, not have to put on nasty oil, no jellyfish stings! Sounds like the perfect day at the beach to me!
you ate a jellyfish? that sounds nasty
Load More Replies...The idea of covering a womans body to avoid male harassment or for religion makes me uncomfortable. But this suits do not harm anybody and allow a lot of women to be anle to join the pools and beaches. I have a couple of muslim friends and they are quite sad because (even tought they are allowed) they dont feel comfortable going to the pool in a bikini and they are not allowed to go in a burkini so they cant play with their kids like other mums do. I understand how uncomfortable must be to wear a bikini if you never grew up with people normalizing it. It would be like of suddenly all the pools and beaches would become nudist only. A lot of people would be to uncomfortable to go (me included). This is similar.
I do not agree with underage kids wearing religious simbols (like the hijab) because I consider them too young to decide by themselves and they grow up separated from other kids. But adults are another thing. Adult women are capable to decide what is best for them and even tough I do not agree with religious symbols they should be free to choose to wear them (or to not wear them).
Load More Replies...The burkini is not only the ticket to be able to go swimming for Muslim women, which is very positive in itself, but I predict we will see this garment make fast strides into mainstream use among people with highly sensitive skin regardless of whatever religious beliefs they may or may not have. Did anyone ever hear complaints about wetsuits covering too much of the body? This garment makes sense, and therefore it would be wise to call it something else. This ought to be the first choice when it comes to beachwear for children.
People wear wetsuits mostly for warmth (though I, like many, wear a 1mm wetsuit to avoid wax rash, plus don't like chest and leg hair caught in the wax), not to cover themselves up.
Load More Replies...I can never understand people that freak out over different cultures. We don't get all up in the face of Amish women who wear hair coverings, or other AMERICAN religions that have "dress codes" for the women. Some don't cut their hair or they wear dresses all the time. Muslims are as much American as those people. It's a swimsuit! Part of our problem is pushing people in to categories, for good or bad. We need to remember we are ALL Americans. Does this effect your life in anyway? Most likely not. Stop whining about things that don't effect you for Pete's sake!
If a women wants to wear a garbage bag or run a round naked on the streets it is her choice! In any case love all women.. if they are not caring and respectable they are at least smooth beautiful and nice.
Miklos its is not religious oppression when people choose it, oppression comes from being forced to do something. Is it oppression to choose to go to temple ,church or Mosque ? or is it that you just have an issue with Islam so you want to pretend you are about people "rights" when actually you are not. For the record I am Atheist because I have religious freedom too just like she does.
But do people choose the religion and its trappings freely I wonder.
Load More Replies...At everyone saying that wearing a hijab and covering up skin is regressive and not feminist... you're literally policing that way women prefer to dress. Feminism is about women being able to wear what they want and express themselves without criticism from unintelligent a******s who don't know what they're talking about. Maybe before typing an inane comment on a subject you know nothing about, think before acting and teach yourself something.
False equivalence I think. It's called regressive because these women have no real choice.
Load More Replies...After having breast cancer I was told to stay out of the sun. I'm am a California girl that loves the beach and misses it in so many ways. I love the look of all of these bathing suits and I think most Doctors should approve them from getting skin cancer. I want the one at the very top. YES. Just to go to the beach again and smell the salt air and get in the water to cool off. Yes I as a Christian really want a few of these.
Yep take us back to 1910 when women had to wear full-body swimsuits.
Modesty is one thing - buried and smothered in fabric to keep you in your place is an entirely different issue.
A womans choice in apparel is her business and hers alone. People who have a problem with that have personal issues of their own which need addressing. She is beautiful and so are the clothes.
The religious police in some countries sadly disagree with you. We are lucky to live in more free countries.
Load More Replies...I think the Islamic style of "modest swimwear" is over the top, but there are many women who feel uncomfortable baring as much in public as modern swimwear prescribes. There's a far more comfortable-looking Israeli version of the "modest swimsuit" which might actually appeal to some older Western women.
It's like being in a cult... when you are born into it, you don't question it or ever think it's wrong. You're brainwashed into thinking it's the right thing, when really it's terribly wrong. These poor women :/
When a woman has freedom of choice she will be free. After living in America this young lady chose to wear a hijab where she was free not to. Don’t troll me with her father- he chose to come to America. Look around. There are many different religions here wearing a variety of garments and insignia. We forget that America got it’s first people who were wanting to practice their religion. As a nation we grew to fight for freedom from tyranny and we became the land that welcomed all religions and expects all to respect the other.
The Western 'Christian' people have their own taboos and clothing restrictions. Why else do people, women included, have the screaming abdabs about a women showing part of her breast to feed her baby? Some get all moral high ground about Muslim women being oppressed (without actually asking them individually if they feel oppressed), yet they are just as oppressed with the need to cover up nipples like they are wet genitals being forced into their face, and remove body hair because having it makes them some kind of neanderthal. But they won't see double standards.
These outfits are beautiful. I just wanted to know why would they have to give up their traditions and traditional clothing just because they live in America? Are we that narrow minded we would take away all they hold holy just so they can live in our country? I would hope not.
I respect and applaud her bravery and her love for her culture, but I wouldn’t consider this historic. However, this may be a huge milestone for their community and culture and we should respect that. She is very pretty and will probably make a successful career modeling and celebrating her culture and her traditions. Go girl!
The word "Brave" has basically lost all it's true meaning nowadays.
Load More Replies...What is hilarious is that a 7th century terrorist who beheaded entire tribes of Jews, took and traded slaves, raped little girls, married his son's wife, and sent assassins after a poet who made fun of him is still setting the dress code for women in the 21st century. No worse human has ever walked the earth than Mohammed and here people are honoring the religion he started as being "liberating" when it has both literally and figuratively enslaved more people than any other creed in the history of mankind.
You: talks how bad Muhammad (ASM) is Muhammad (ASM): is in abook of the most influential people side-by-side with Princess Diana
Load More Replies...I dare she uses makeup and those ugly burka things in any muslim country, bearing that big, and beautiful, smile.
I've never understood why we glorify the religious subjugation of women by religion. She is wearing a burkini because of the social stigma of male expectations in a male dominated religion. Or do Muslim men also have to wear a full head-to-toe body covering to go to the beach?
Dubai 5* Hotel Pool: SHE: slender in a black burkini, face covered to the middle of the cheeks, wearing black gloves, the pants till to her toes. Perfect makeup. HE: fat, extremely hairy except his scalp, wearing slightly to small swimming trunks belly hanging over, Wallowing in the shallow water. Commanding the Philippine nany. Something in this picture seems completely wrong to me.
Yeah.. Playboy Mansion make much more sense than that..
Load More Replies...Wow,the agenda is getting stronger and stronger.Bp likes to laugh about christians,but celebrates the "freedom" of suppression.Nice,keep it coming 😂
Sorry not sorry, not going to say this is great because it is oppression. When she can wear anything she wants then it will be great. She thinks their oppression is something to be celebrated and shared? truly brainwashed
I get tired by this .. I always wonder why all media and advertisement have to consistently push islam into everything. To be honest I don´t think that this ideology is so great that it would have to be "represented" literally everywhere. Quite the opposite.
Well, being a nonbeliever I can sympathize with what you are saying. That is the way I feel when Christianity is continually being shoved in my face, living in a predominantly Christian country as I do. Besides that, Islam is a religion, it is not an ideology.
Load More Replies...Allah means god. Christians in muslim countries call god Allah. You just dissed christians along with islam
Load More Replies...It's also an inane way to get around the "do not list after other women" rule in the holy book. I think it was supposed to remind men to have some self control, not cover women with meters of tablecloth.
Load More Replies...
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