RACISM: MUSLIM MODELS SPEAK OUT AGAINST RACIAL TREATMENT IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY
With Halima Aden’s shocking withdrawal from the modeling and fashion industry, fellow muslim models and stylists have been forced to raise their voices, as they call on fashion to attack racism.
Halima pointed out how she was forced to compromise her religious beliefs for a long time; she mentioned there were instances she was made to miss the usual prayers.
With Islam being on the rise as one of the fastest growing religion in the world, Muslim models call for better treatment and respect, not being treated as an afterthought because of their religious beliefs.
Rafiqah Akhdar, a Muslim model and makeup artist lamented that “the fashion industry doesn’t really handle Muslim representation at all”.
Melanie Elturk, the CEO of Haute Hijab says, more Muslim women need to be in important decision making roles in the fashion industry, in order for fashion to better represent Muslim women.