Mattel Unveils New Hijab-Wearing Barbie Modeled After Ibtihaj Muhammad

ashley.rae | November 14, 2017
DONATE
Font Size

Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad is getting her own Barbie doll—because she wears a hijab.

At the 2017 Glamour Women of the Year Summit, Mattel unveiled their doll in Muhummad’s likeness, complete with a hijab.

Outside of her athletic talent, Muhammad is seen as an icon because in 2016, she became the first member of the U.S. Olympics team to complete while wearing a hijab.

Glamour reports that when Muhammad saw the doll, she said, “Perfect hijab moment right here—this is amazing.”

According to Glamour, Muhammad said that she and her sisters used to sew hijabs to use with their Barbie dolls because they previously did not offer dolls with hijabs.

"I hope that little girls of color across the heartland will be inspired to embrace what makes them unique,” Muhammad said.

The Muhammad doll is part of Barbie’s “Sheroes” campaign. In the description for the Muhammad doll, Barbie explains, “As an inspiration for countless little girls who never saw themselves represented in sports and culture, we hope this doll shows they can be anything.”

Other “Sheroes” include plus-size model Ashley Graham, who teaches girls “body positivity, self acceptance and female empowerment,” and actress Ava Duvernay.

The Muhammad doll will be available in 2018.

Thank you for supporting MRCTV! As a tax-deductible, charitable organization, we rely on the support of our readers to keep us running! Keep MRCTV going with your gift here!

donate