Born in a refugee camp in Kenya, Halima Aden found fame as the world's first hijab-wearing model. And then, in November, she made the shock announcement that she would be quitting the fashion industry, claiming that she could no longer align her career path with her faith. "I don't regret my career, there were so many positive things I was able to accomplish, but I am so excited to take a step back and do things differently," Aden tells The National.
The paradox of modest fashion
At the start of her career at age 19, Aden incorporated two, non-negotiable conditions into her modelling contract: "Hijab and no male stylists". Any fashion brand that wanted to work with her had to to abide by these rules.
But as her career progressed, she found that a lot of the styling she was subjected to did not reflect the true fundamentals of wearing the hijab. "The first two years of my career, I was the stylist and came to set with hijabs, of all different types of fabrics, leggings, turtlenecks, and I would be in charge of doing my own hijab," the former model says in our Zoom interview. But, as the years passed, Aden let her guard down. "I let them style me and got comfortable.”
I had to leave, because you either stand for something or you will fall for everything
The lines grew increasingly blurred, she explains. “I had Gucci pants as a hijab once, and jeans put on my head. It was becoming questionable as to where the hijab is."
And so: "I had to leave, because you either stand for something or you will fall for everything.”
The hijab is a marker of faith and should not be treated as a fashion statement, Aden maintains. A clear distinction should be drawn between the two, and aspiring hijab-wearing models need to be mindful of where that line is drawn. "As long as they remember their values and who they are, I feel like they will be okay," Aden says.
Throughout her modelling career, Aden was given separate changing rooms because of her faith. But the privacy she was afforded only made her think about the conditions that other, non-hijabi models were working in. "Being treated better than someone else and seeing other models change in front of everyone breaks my heart," says Aden, who clearly believes that change is needed in the fashion industry, particularly when it comes to protecting young girls who are just starting out.
Growing up in Kakuma refugee camp
Aden was born in a refugee camp in Kakuma, which is located in the north-western region of Kenya. "My family is originally from Kismayo, a port city," Aden says. "I was born into a family of fishermen in the commercial hub of Somalia." Her mother fled the country in 1994 during the civil war to seek a better life for her children, arriving in Kakuma and later settling in Minnesota in the United States.
Kakuma exposed a young Aden to people from varying walks of life, including families who had fled their countries due to war, famine and persecution. "I wouldn't trade my childhood for anything," she says. After years spent living in Kakuma, Aden learnt to speak fluent Swahili but, after moving to the United States, her grasp of the language slowly faded away.
She says that she never really saw herself as a model. "I am 5'5, and my modelling contract fell from the sky and into my lap. I like dressing comfortably, I am not a luxurious person and not so much into fashion, if I am being completely honest. Being from Minnesota, you pretty much wear a sweater, hoodie and dress casually. As long as I have clothes on my back, I am fine.
"I never have my magazines in the house because I cannot relate to that. When you are a model, you are a mannequin; you are there to show off the clothes and less of your personality, which is not me."
What her mother thought about her career
Aden was raised by a strong Somali mother, whom she credits with being a guiding force in her life. "If you are someone of faith, you understand that it is your mother, your mother, your mother, and then your father," she emphasises, since maternal figures are held in the highest regard in both Islam and Somali culture.
Her mother's dream was for Aden to get a college degree and become a teacher or doctor. She found Aden's choice to pursue modelling to be at odds with her daughter's personality and disposition. "Despite the generational gap between my mother and me and growing up in different cultures, finding common ground was essential to maintaining our relationship,” Aden says.
Convincing her mother of the journey she wanted to take was not easy but "after speaking to my mother about the importance of representation, she said you have my blessing”, the 23-year-old recalls. Almost every depiction of hijab-wearing women that Aden encountered in the media was tainted with negative connotations. She saw an opportunity to create an example for a younger generation of women and set a new standard of representation for hijab-wearing women. But being the first on her path meant that she had no role models or predecessors to help guide her through a highly cut-throat industry
It is interesting later on in life to understand what my mum meant as I didn't get it at the time, and I wish I had listened to her
Growing up in a Somali household meant that Aden frequently heard traditional proverbs being recited. One in particular that her mother so often repeated was: "Beware of the naked man who offers you his clothes”, which is warning about the need to be cautious of those who offer you something they have yet to obtain. "It is interesting later on in life to understand what my mum meant as I didn't get it at the time, and I wish I had listened to her," Aden says soberly.
Aden's affinity with the UAE
As soon as the pandemic has passed, Aden plans on setting up a series of meet and greets and motivational speaking events at schools and universities, as a way of staying connected with her community. She also plans on visiting the Middle East often. “The UAE is very beautiful; some of my best memories were when I was [an ambassador for] Etihad; I miss the big mosque, hearing the adhan, and being in a Muslim country."
Staying indoors and trying to keep busy have become the norm for many around the world and Aden has used the time to surround herself with family and stream TV shows online. "I am currently hooked on Bridgerton. I also am just trying to pick up a book and read. However, since it is winter, we sleep in and watch a lot of Netflix.
"I am about to be an aunt, and my sister will give birth in April, which makes me really excited because I get to spoil and love the baby. I am also working on something special," she adds excitedly, hinting that even though she has left the fashion industry's blinding lights behind her, we have yet to see the last of Halima Aden.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3 (Sterling 46', De Bruyne 65', Gundogan 70')
Aston Villa 0
Red card: Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Man of the Match: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm
Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh317,671
On sale: now
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Company profile
Name: Oulo.com
Founder: Kamal Nazha
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2020
Number of employees: 5
Sector: Technology
Funding: $450,000
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
England squads for Test and T20 series against New Zealand
Test squad: Joe Root (capt), Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes
T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Pat Brown, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Matt Parkinson, Adil Rashid, James Vince
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
FORSPOKEN
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Starfield
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The specs
Price: From Dh529,000
Engine: 5-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 520hp
Torque: 625Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km
The%C2%A0specs%20
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The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
