Khadija Omar
Height: 5’5
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Languages: English, Swahili
Occupation: Beauty/fashion Influencer, Retocuher, Model, Social Media Marketing Manger, Makeup Artist.
Khadija Omar’s story is one of resilience and inspiration. Born in the hagadera refugee camp and moving to Canada in 2010 has been an exciting experience that has opened opportunities for her has moulded her into the woman she is today. Growing up as a big sister in a family of five, Khadija has transformed her challenging beginnings into a narrative of hope and empowerment that shaped her into a voice of inspiration in her community. As a beauty and fashion influencer, retoucher, model, and social media marketing manager, she uses her diverse talents to redefine beauty standards and advocate for inclusivity. Her brand, K-Amani Beauty, is a movement that celebrates diversity and empowers women.
Khadija’s passion extends beyond the camera lens, with a deep love for photography and retouching, allowing her to tell visual stories that inspire confidence and self-love. Her commitment to community service is evident through her various projects and volunteer works with organizations like PadMad Kenya and National Geographic, focusing on menstrual health and climate change education.
As the first hijabi woman to compete in an international pageant, representing Somalia in Miss World, Khadija has made history and continues to break barriers.This achievement has garnered widespread attention, and she has been interviewed and featured in various prominent publications worldwide. Some of her notable interviews include The National News, CTV News Toronto, Emirati Women and many more.
Khadija aspires to be a recognized leader in the beauty and fashion industry, using her platform to champion diversity and inclusivity. Her Somali heritage and experiences as a refugee remain central to her mission of fostering understanding and compassion across cultures. Khadija’s journey from a refugee camp to the international stage of pageantry is a testament to the belief that with determination and pride in one’s identity, any dream is within reach.
What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
My interests span the realms of beauty, fashion, social empowerment, and humanitarian work. I express myself through diverse makeup looks and fashion styles, finding fulfillment in working towards the launch of my brand, K-Amani Beauty, which is more than a beauty line‚Äîit’s a movement to redefine beauty standards and empower women. My enjoyment also extends to the art of photography and retouching, where I find joy in the creative process behind the scenes. Additionally, I thrive on staying active and engaged through sports, which for me, is not just about physical health but also about the joy of teamwork and the spirit of competition.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
- Makeup Artistry
- Photography and Retouching
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
I have a long-standing passion for basketball, which I’ve played since grade 3 and throughout high school. My love for sports doesn’t end there; I’ve also enjoyed soccer, tennis, and track, embracing the lessons and friendships each game brings.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
I am deeply inspired by Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid, known professionally as Iman. As a fellow Somali-born trailblazer, Iman’s remarkable journey from refugee to international supermodel, and her subsequent ventures as a philanthropist and entrepreneur, mirror the path I strive to walk. Her unwavering advocacy for diversity within the beauty industry and her commitment to humanitarian efforts profoundly influence my mission to empower women and celebrate our shared heritage on a global stage.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
My proudest personal accomplishment is making history as the first hijabi woman to compete in an international pageant, representing Somalia in Miss World. This achievement stands as a testament to my dedication to breaking down barriers and redefining beauty standards.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
One of the most interesting aspects of my life is my behind-the-scenes work in photography and retouching, which many may not know about me. Additionally, my experience in Fort McMurray, witnessing and learning from the resilience of a community in crisis, has been a profound and shaping experience.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My career ambition is to establish and grow my beauty brand, K-Amani Beauty, and the K-Amani Organization, to make a lasting impact on the world by empowering women and addressing gender inequality. I am actively working towards these goals by leveraging my platform in pageantry to inspire and connect with a global audience, laying the groundwork for these ambitious goals.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
My dream job is to be the founder and leader of my own organization, the K-Amani Organization. Growing up as a child, I didn’t always have the opportunity to travel around the world. However, through the incredible platform of pageantry, I’ve realized the power of connecting with diverse cultures and hearing the stories of people worldwide. My passion lies in making a positive impact in the lives of women globally, empowering women, and addressing their unique challenges that they have.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
My journey is built on resilience and purpose. My journey began in the Hagadera Refugee Camp in Nairobi. I moved to Canada in 2010 with my family, where we started a new life, bringing a mix of excitement and challenging adventures. Growing up as a big sister in a family of five, those early days in the refugee camp taught me resilience and determination. Moving to Canada has been an exciting experience that has opened opportunities for me, has moulded me into the woman I am today.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
I began working at the age of 16 in the food industry, learning the importance of hard work and customer service. At 18, I became a makeup artist, which was more than a job – it was a mission to make women feel beautiful and empowered. Now I have dived into creative world of photography and editing where blended my love of makeup and photoshoots.
List any volunteering you have done.
- Spoke to young girls in schools in Kenya and Canada about identity and self-confidence.
- Collaborated with PadMad Kenya to address period poverty and educate on menstrual health.
- Visited women’s prisons in Kenya to empower inmates and teach about health and rights.
- Partnered with K Amani organization to provide reusable PadMad Pad kits to refugee girls.
- Worked with National Geographic to promote sanitary hygiene and climate change education in Somali refugee camps.
What is your most unusual talent?
My most unusual talent is in the art of photography and retouching. While many see me in front of the camera, behind the scenes, I have a deep passion for editing photos. I can spend hours perfecting an image, focusing on the fine details of lighting and composition. This skill allows me to tell visual stories and bring a unique perspective to my work in beauty and fashion.
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
The most captivating place I’ve visited is Fort McMurray, profoundly impacted by the 2016 wildfire, known as “The Beast.” This catastrophic event, the costliest natural disaster in Canada’s history, led to the evacuation of over 88,000 residents and destroyed approximately 2,400 homes and buildings. Witnessing the community’s resilience and unity in rebuilding after such devastation was deeply moving. Fort McMurray’s experience, from the initial outbreak to the community’s recovery efforts, has been a profound and shaping experience for me, highlighting the strength found in adversity and the importance of coming together in times of crisis.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
In ten years, I aspire to be a recognized leader and advocate in the beauty and fashion industry, using my platform to champion diversity and inclusivity. Building on my experiences as a model, makeup artist, and influencer retoucher, I envision myself continuing to inspire confidence and self-love in individuals around the world. Alongside my professional pursuits, I aim to be deeply involved in community service, supporting humanitarian causes and empowering women and children from underprivileged backgrounds. My journey, rooted in my Somali heritage and experiences as a refugee, will remain central to my mission of fostering understanding and compassion across cultures.
Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?
I would like to share that my journey from a refugee camp to the international stage of pageantry is a narrative of hope, resilience, and the power of dreams. It’s a testament to the belief that your beginnings do not define your future, and that with determination and pride in your identity, any dream is within reach. My story, from the Dadaab refugee camp to becoming the first hijabi to run for Miss World, and now aspiring for Miss Universe Canada, is a testament to the enduring human spirit and the power of diversity. I stand as a proud representative of the values of Canada, a sanctuary that has nurtured my dreams and allowed me to advocate for inclusivity and humanitarian causes on a global stage. With your support, I hope to continue redefining beauty, breaking down barriers, and inspiring a world where compassion and empathy reign supreme.