Somali-British Miss Universe Contestant Muna Jama Makes History By Rocking a Kaftan Instead of a Bikini
Muna Jama has felt all the love since she made the decision to wear a kaftan during the swimsuit portion of the Miss Universe Great Britian competition.
Muna Jama is the first pageant contestant in the Miss Universe Great Britain competition to rock a kaftan for the swimsuit round instead of a bikini.
The choice to forgo the bikini wasn't anything out of the norm for the Somali-British model, especially since wearing one conflicts with her values as a Muslim woman. This choice not only is a step towards inclusivity in the pageant world, but also a moment to acknowledge the diverse ways women approach modesty in the Muslim community.
To say Jama's an inspiration for black Muslim women and girls like herself, is an understatement.
“I had no idea I was going to inspire anyone. I just wanted to stay true to myself and not do anything that I don't do outside my normal life; to pretend, to be someone I'm not," Jama says in an interview with Teen Vogue.
For more on her history-making decision, check out this video from AJ+ below.
This beauty queen was told she had to wear a bikini. She refused. 👑 pic.twitter.com/0hq5iUxGc0
— AJ+ (@ajplus) August 9, 2017