Halima Aden is featured on the front page of the Sports Illustrated annual swimsuit issue in the swimwear which covers the entire body except for the face, hands and feet.
In an interview with the BBC, the model said: "Young girls who wear a hijab should have women they look up to in any and every industry.
"We are now seeing politicians, businesswomen, television reporters, and other successful hijabi women in visible roles and that is the message we need to be sending.
"The response has been incredible and I'm so honoured that Sports Illustrated has taken the step to showcase the beauty that modestly dressed women possess."
Halima Aden Sports Illustrated cover Source: Sports Illustarted
Sports Illustrated is an American magazine with a predominantly male readership and the news received mixed reaction on social media.
One Instagram user posted: You are such an absolute star Halima!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!
Another said: "inspired!!"
Some Twitter users, however, expressed dismay, with one person tweeting: "I would get it if it were for a swimsuit catalogue for women to buy. But for a magazine specially made for men. It beats the whole purpose of the hijab."
Halima Aden, who grew up in a Kenyan refugee camp, moved to the US at the age of seven and began wearing the hijab shortly after.
In 2017 she became the first hijab-wearing model to appear on the cover of a major US magazine.
Burkini worn by some Australian lifeguards Source: Getty
The burkini was originally designed by Aheda Zanetti, a Muslim Australian.
Ms Zanetti said the intention behind the garment was to allow Muslim women to participate in the Australian beach lifestyle.
