Barbie unveils hijab doll inspired by Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad who was first to compete in headscarf
BARBIE has unveiled its first hijab-wearing doll to honour an American Olympic fencer.
The hijab-wearing Barbie is part of maker Mettel’s "Shero" line which recognises women "who break boundaries to inspire the next generation of girls".
It is based on female fencing champ Ibtihaj Muhammad who made history in Rio last year as the first US Olympian to represent her country wearing a hijab.
Ms Muhammad said: "To be in this moment, as a US Olympian, to have Mattel, such a global brand, diversify their toy line to include a Barbie doll that wears a hijab is very moving to me.”
She added: "There was so much about the doll that was important to me.
"I know as a kid I was bullied for having larger legs, and sport taught me to embrace my body and to love my body and the strength that it could produce."
The Olympic star continued: “I think that having strong legs helped me win a medal at the Olympic Games, so I wanted my legs to be larger, more athletic legs, toned legs.
“And I am very into eyeliner, so I wanted a strong-winged cat eye.
“And Mattel listened to everything, everything even down to the fabric of the hijab.”
Many Muslim women cover their heads in public with the hijab as a sign of modesty, although some critics see it as a sign of female oppression.
But recently it has been sported by models in top fashion magazines to Apple's recently launched emoji character.
Other dolls in the collection to be released in Autumn next year include African-American ballerina Misty Copeland, and Ava DuVernay, director of "Selma", a highly-acclaimed film about the American civil rights movement.
In November, Danish toy-maker Lego released figurines of five women scientists, engineers and astronauts who worked for US space agency NASA to inspire more girls to pursue careers in science.
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