Staying true to her culture, model and businesswoman Muna Jama defied tradition and wore a Kaftan instead of a bikini in the Miss Universe Great Britain pageant in July.
Her decision to wear a Kaftan makes her a revolutionary. According to Mic, the organizers ended up giving Jama the greenlight to bypass the bikini.
That decision paid off handsomely. She made history as the first participant to wear a Kaftan during the swimsuit round.
"I wouldn’t wear a bikini to a beach, so I’m not going to wear one in a competition to score points," Jama told Metro.
Even though she did not win the competition, she continued to get support from online fans and brought attention to her causes.
"It takes bravery, emotional resilience and most importantly surrounding yourself with strong minded people who are prepared to make great sacrifices to welcome permanent and positive change,” she wrote on Instagram. “This moment has proved that I am capable of almost anything I set my mind to and limitations is a status waiting to be changed. I thank everyone who stood beside me and believed in my vision.”
In addition to breaking down barriers, Jama is the co-founder of Cloudless Research, a start-up tackling illegal migration and child abuse in east Africa. She has also volunteered in Somalia in the past year helping children in need.
