For The First Time Ever, Mattel Are Releasing A Hijab-Wearing Barbie
The doll is modelled on US Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad.
Mattel is set to release its first hijab-wearing barbie, inspired by US Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad.
Clad in fencing gear and a head scarf, the doll was unveiled at Glamour’s Women of the Year summit. It is one of a number of new figures set to released by the toy company modelled after inspirational women.
The first US woman to compete at the Olympics in a hijab, Muhammad won bronze at last year’s games in Rio. On Tuesday, she said being turned into a Barbie was “a childhood dream come true”.
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
“Today I’m proud to know that little girls who wear a hijab and, just as powerfully, those who don’t, can play with a Barbie who chooses to wear a head scarf,” Muhammad said.
She also told reporters that as a child, she used to make hijabs for her Barbies out of tissue, and said that she hoped the new doll made in her likeness would inspired little girls of colour “to embrace what makes them unique.”
LOVE this! @Barbie‘s first doll with a hijab is modeled after @IbtihajMuhammad. Representation matters. Black. Muslim. Magic. pic.twitter.com/W6ATi9xqTZ
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) November 13, 2017
Mattel just announced that it will be releasing its first ever hijab-wearing barbie and OMG its perfect ? pic.twitter.com/N78CeUj8Bg
— Common Muslim Girl (@HijabiPosts) November 14, 2017
On their website, Mattel said they hoped the doll would serve as “an inspiration for countless little girls who never saw themselves represented in sports and culture. We hope this doll shows girls they can be anything.”
The doll will be available to purchase in 2018.
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Feature image via Barbie/Twitter