Barbie unveils first ever doll wearing a hijab
Mattel has unveiled its first ever Barbie wearing a hijab, and it's based on an Olympic fencer. Photo: Getty
Barbie will wear a hijab for the first time ever, in a doll modelled on bronze medallist fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad – the first American Olympian to compete in a hijab.
Ms Muhammad said it was a “childhood dream come true”.
“Through playing with Barbie, I was able to imagine and dream about who I could become,” Ms Muhammad said in a statement.
“I love that my relationship with Barbie has come full circle, and now I have my own doll wearing a hijab that the next generation of girls can use to play out their own dreams.”
Mattel unveiled the doll at the Glamour Women of the Year Summit, where Ms Muhammad was presented with the doll by body activist Ashley Graham.
The Barbie was modelled on Ibtihaj Muhammad, who won a bronze medal in fencing at the 2016 Olympics. Photo: Mattel
The doll is the latest in the Shero line of Barbies based on inspiring women, including Ms Graham and director Ava DuVernay.
“Muhammad is the latest honoree as part of Barbie Shero program that recognises women who break boundaries to inspire the next generation of girls,” Mattel said in a statement.
“Barbie is celebrating Ibtihaj not only for her accolades as an Olympian, but for embracing what makes her stand out,” said Sejal Shah Miller, Vice President of Global Marketing for Barbie.
“Ibtihaj is an inspiration to countless girls who never saw themselves represented, and by honoring her story, we hope this doll reminds them that they can be and do anything.”
Ms Muhammad was one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2016. She was the first US athlete to compete at the Olympics wearing a hijab at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where she won bronze.
The doll, on sale from next year, is the first Barbie in 58 years of dolls to wear a hijab.
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
