You don’t need to have superpowers to be a hero or set an example for people, sometimes all it takes is some self-confidence and you are all set to rule the world and 19-year-old Halima Aden is a proof of that. Breaking all the stereotypes, this Somali-American beauty is slaying the Miss Minnesota USA pageant wearing a Hijab. Halima Aden studies in St Cloud College and is the first woman to compete in the contest wearing a Hijab and a Burkini. If that doesn’t make you respect this woman, we wonder what will? 

Halima Aden starts off Miss Minnesota USA's swimsuit segment to big cheers from the crowd. Announcer: "She's making history tonight." pic.twitter.com/OUvbHv6xct

— Liz Sawyer (@ByLizSawyer) 27 November 2016

During the swimsuit round, she won people’s hearts wearing a burkini that covered her from neck to ankle and the crowd couldn’t stop cheering for her. Although we weren’t a part of the crowd but we are already impressed by her charm.   

Miss Minnesota USA just started at Ames Center. Halima Aden, 19, of St. Cloud, introduced herself in black gown. pic.twitter.com/KlaPGEzSQI

— Liz Sawyer (@ByLizSawyer) 27 November 2016

Halima decided to participate in this pageant to clear the misconceptions about Muslim Americans, Muslim women and Somali-Americans. “I think part of the problem is they’re not interacting with people who are Somali.” Halima told TV station WCCO. She further added, “There is not one description of beauty that in fact it has different faces, different stories, and different background and it’s important to embrace all of those.”   

Halima Aden, 19, will be the first woman to compete in the #MissMinesota pageant wearing both hijab and a burkini. #GoHalima pic.twitter.com/LBt73tuiqN

— About Islam (@AbtIslamNet) 24 November 2016

However, things weren’t rosy for Halima at all. She was strongly opposed for entering the pageant from her own community members. But, despite all odds she stood strong and fought till the end. She is now the first fully covered Muslim to compete in the state pageant. She made it to the semifinal round with 15 contestants but didn’t get selected for the final five. Though she couldn’t make it to the final round, she has already made her way into our hearts for her courage.