Meet Imaan Hammam’s Parents: Mbarka Belouta and Abdelhamid Hammam

Imaan Hammam is the internationally acclaimed Dutch supermodel known for gracing over 20 Vogue covers and dominating runways for luxury brands like Chanel and Versace.

She credits much of her confidence, cultural pride, and grounded outlook to her parents, Mbarka Belouta and Abdelhamid Hammam. Born on October 5, 1996, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Imaan proudly embraces her Moroccan and Egyptian roots.

A DNA test further revealed her diverse ancestry: 70% Egyptian, 10% Sudanese, and 7.6% Senegambian and Guinean, affirming her rich African heritage.

Raised in a Muslim household in the multicultural neighborhood of Amsterdam-East, Imaan grew up with five siblings, including her younger sister Aicha Hammam. Her mother, Mbarka Belouta, is a Moroccan-born seamstress and Dutch language teacher, while her father, Abdelhamid Hammam, is an Egyptian musician.

Their values and traditions played a key role in shaping Imaan’s identity, grounding her in her heritage even as her modeling career skyrocketed.

Discovered at just 13 years old at Amsterdam Central Station, Imaan began balancing life at Het Amsterdams Lyceum—a prestigious secondary school—with international modeling gigs.

Throughout her rise in fashion, she has remained vocal about her background and uses her platform to champion diversity, representation, and cultural authenticity, drawing strength from her family’s immigrant story and their deep-rooted values.

Mbarka Belouta

Mbarka Belouta, Imaan’s mother, hails from the southern provinces of Morocco, a region known for its rich cultural traditions and diverse communities.

At the age of 15, Mbarka moved to Casablanca, where she later met Abdelhamid Hammam. The couple eventually immigrated to the Netherlands, settling in the multicultural neighborhood of Amsterdam-East. Mbarka’s journey as an immigrant at the age of 19 was not without challenges, but her resilience and passion for her heritage left a lasting impact on Imaan.

As a homemaker and skilled seamstress, Mbarka instilled in Imaan a deep love for fashion. She was known for crafting her own clothing, a talent that sparked Imaan’s early interest in the industry. Beyond her creative pursuits, Mbarka worked as a Dutch language teacher for immigrants, helping others navigate their new lives in the Netherlands while fostering a sense of community.

At home, she spoke Moroccan Arabic with Imaan, ensuring her daughter remained connected to her roots. Imaan has often credited her mother’s strength and cultural pride as a guiding force, notably honoring her in a 2022 collaboration with Port Tanger, where she named a frame design “M’Barka” as a tribute to her mother’s influence.

Mbarka’s commitment to family extended to annual trips to Morocco, where Imaan and her siblings reconnected with their maternal relatives. These visits immersed Imaan in Moroccan traditions, from the use of argan oil in beauty routines to the enjoyment of traditional cuisine, which she credits for her radiant complexion and appreciation for natural beauty products.

Abdelhamid Hammam

Imaan’s father, Abdelhamid Hammam, brought an Egyptian flair to the family’s dynamic. Originally from Cairo, Abdelhamid worked in the music industry, a profession that added a creative rhythm to Imaan’s upbringing.

While his career often kept him busy, his cultural influence was profound. Imaan has fondly recalled her father’s stories of his younger years, sporting a “big Afro” that reflected his vibrant personality. At home, Abdelhamid communicated with Imaan and her siblings in Dutch, complementing Mbarka’s use of Moroccan Arabic and creating a bilingual, multicultural household.

Though Abdelhamid was less present at home due to his professional commitments, his Egyptian heritage played a significant role in shaping Imaan’s identity. A DNA test featured in Vogue Italia revealed Imaan’s genetic makeup as 70% Egyptian, 10% Sudanese, and 7.6% Senegambian and Guinean, alongside other ancestries.

This blend has fueled Imaan’s pride in her African roots, often emphasizing her identity as a Black woman despite occasional mislabeling as Middle Eastern. Abdelhamid’s influence is evident in Imaan’s appreciation for Egyptian culture, which she channels into her advocacy for diversity in the fashion industry.