FARMINGTON HILLS – 33-year-old Rahaf Khatib has become the first Muslim woman in a hijab to pose on the front cover of a fitness magazine. 

Women’s Running has a strong recent history of groundbreaking covers, and its October issue is no different with Khatib on the cover.

Khatib had emailed the magazine and mentioned the lack of Muslim women represented in magazines and challenged them to change that. 

The editorial team was moved by the plea and decided to feature her.

The 32-year-old mom of three is originally from Syria, but she has lived in the U.S. since the 1980s. 

She has run at least six marathons and hopes to send the message that “everyone can be an athlete no matter how you dress and how you’re covered.”

In a previous interview with The AANews where she was profiled for her dedication as a marathon runner, Khatib said she hoped to send a message to Muslim women and prompt them to get more involved in athletics. 

“In our religion, to stay active is one aspect that’s being ignored by a lot of Arab Americans,” Khatib said. “It’s very important to stay active and fit. I encourage Muslims to get out there more and pursue their passions. It doesn’t have to be running… It can be kickboxing or any other sport.”