Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover to feature model wearing 'burkini' for the first time ever

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition is to have a model wearing a "burkini" on the cover for the first time ever, it has been announced.

Somali-American model Halima Aden said that many participants were weeping tears of joy at her photo shoot for the historic cover.

"Young girls who wear a hijab should have women they look up to in any and every industry," Aden said, according to the BBC.

A burkini covers the entire body of the wearer, except for the face, the hands and the feet.

"We are now seeing politicians, business women, television reporters, and other successful hijabi women in visible roles and that is the message we need to be sending," Aden continued.

Aden grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya and came to the United States when she was 7 years old.

"The response has been incredible and I'm so honored that Sports Illustrated has taken the step to showcase the beauty that modestly dressed women possess," she added.

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition will be released on May 8.

Here's a USA Today video celebrating the event:

Halima Aden makes history for Sports Illustrated l GMAwww.youtube.com