There’s A Hijab-Wearing Barbie Now

Mattel has a line of Barbies out portraying important women… which is pretty cool. Girls SHOULD be able to look up to strong female role models.

Among these role models are Olympic athletes… again, cool! I would have LOVED a Barbie of my favorite Olympic gymnasts as a kid. I think it’s great… but here’s where it gets sticky.

They’re making a doll of Ibtihaj Muhammad… who wears a hijab.

The doll is modeled after American Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first American to compete and win a medal in the Olympics while wearing a hijab. She participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The doll was unveiled at Glamour’s Women of the Year summit in New York City. “Ibtihaj Muhammad has challenged every stereotype — which to me is the definition of a modern American woman,” Glamour Editor-in-Chief, Cindi Leive, said in a statement.

She’s the modern American woman, y’all.

Neat.

So… on one hand they’re making dolls of an Olympic athlete. On the other, this is an obvious move to continue to glamorize and normalize Islam to American children…

I have a hard time with a “shero” who wears a head covering meant not to “tempt men” with HAIR. There’s nothing “feminist” or “empowering” about Islam. Muslim countries treat women like property, and nothing more.

Thank you @Mattel for announcing me as the newest member of the @Barbie #Shero family! I’m proud to know that little girls everywhere can now play with a Barbie who chooses to wear hijab! This is a childhood dream come true 😭💘 #shero pic.twitter.com/py7nbtb2KD

— Ibtihaj Muhammad (@IbtihajMuhammad) November 13, 2017

Who “chooses” to wear a hijab. Careful language there.

Mixed responses on Twitter, to be sure.

Teaching our girls oppression at a young age, so nice.

— Tony J (@stonyjbc) November 14, 2017

Uh. I think the word you’re looking for is “representation” here. Please take the time to educate yourself on why Muslim girls and woman CHOOSE to wear hijab before making ignorant assumptions…

— Brooke (@whimsyvalentine) November 14, 2017

When you submit, there is no choice. Their book says not wearing it is a sin & many are punished for not doing so. We know what’s going on, I hope you do

— Tony J (@stonyjbc) November 14, 2017

This is a huge generalization. The Bible lists a lot of things people should be punished for too – doesn’t mean even the Fundiest of Fundies follow up on that nonsense. If actual Muslim women are saying they are choosing to wear hajib, then settle down. It’s their choice.

— Brooke (@whimsyvalentine) November 14, 2017

I chose to pay taxes to the IRS. It’s my choice. Respect that

— enda cormican (@endacormican) November 14, 2017

Good education for kids on how women in parts of the world are oppressed to hide features just because men deemed them sexually arousing and so avoid “sinning”. You can lie to your teeth about whatever alternative reasons you have but all you’re doing is degrading yourselves.

— Amy (@AmyCA0214) November 14, 2017

Lots of women CHOOSE to wear a hijab. Lots of women choose NOT to wear a hijab. Women’s rights in the Middle East have made leaps and bounds in the past few years, and while some are forced- a minuscule amount are. #EducateYourself

— 🎄Charlotte🎄 (@galaxyCharlotte) November 14, 2017

Women’s rights in the Middle East have made leaps and bounds!!!!! Now only SOME women who “choose” not to wear a hijab get stoned to death!!

For every girl who wants to be a slave to men u mean. Terrible role model to all women.

— Pokerhanos (@pokerhanos) November 13, 2017

fun fact, in islam its a sin for anyone to be a slave 🙂

— urwah🧞‍♀️ (@_urwahhh) November 14, 2017

Well then, Mohammed must have been great sinner.
He captured slaves in battle, had sex with his slaves, and instructed his men to do the same. The Quran devotes more verses reminding Muslim men they can keep women as slaves (4) than telling them to pray five times a day (zero).

— John Crespi (@JohnCrespi) November 14, 2017

actually the prophet never sinned. youd know that if you actually read

— urwah🧞‍♀️ (@_urwahhh) November 14, 2017

HAHAHAHAHA. This woman. Wth?

So, what are your thoughts on this?