Last November, American toy company Mattel revealed its first - ever hijabi Barbie, modelled after fencing champion Ibtihaj Muhammad. This week, the barrier - breaking doll finally landed in stores.
Muhammad, who made history at the 2016 Olympics as the first Muslim - American to win a medal, celebrated the launch on Twitter.
“She’s finally here! I’m happy to announce that you can now have your very own Ibtihaj Barbie doll starting today, ” the athlete said, posing for a photo with her doll doppelganger.
Muhammad spoke with CNN about what the doll would mean for young girls who have never seen themselves represented.
“For little kids to walk up and down a toy aisle, to not only see a brown doll that’s a fencer, but also have a doll who chooses to wear hijab, it’s such a big moment, ” she said.
“It’s my hope that in having Mattel create their first doll that wears hijab, it continues to inspire and transform the way that our youth thinks of themselves and sees themselves in our future. ”
The Barbie’s body shape is also modeled after the athlete’s own strong figure.
Hello EnglishHello English
