Hijab Barbie: New doll exposes internet’s Islamophobia
Barbie is generally known for her long, blonde hair, but it’s hard to see her signature style under her newest fashion accessory: a hijab.
Haneefah Adam, a 24-year-old from Nigeria, posted images to her Instagram account of her Barbie dressed in hijabs and homemade clothes.
She dubbed it the Hijarbie.
Adam hopes to create positive awareness and inspire Muslim children.
“It’s about having a doll that looks like her, that represents her own cultural and religious background,” she said.
The non-trolling part of the internet was full of love for Hijarbie with many complimenting Adam’s fashion-forward designs.
Honestly the #Hijarbie is the most fashion forward thing I've seen in a while. Absolutely obsessed.
— nicole wojtowicz (@nicolewojtooo) February 5, 2016
I <3 #Hijarbie#Instagram I love that dolls are getting makeovers so little girls can relate. #celebratediversityhttps://t.co/fwDPBd5lGh
— Ruth O'Connor (@ruthoconnorsays) February 5, 2016
@ms_hanie congratulations on finally getting the attention and respect your work deserves. Absolutely proud of you. #hijarbie
— Fuad فؤاد Davies II (@davies1608) February 4, 2016
Hijarbie might be the best doll that Barbie forgot to create: https://t.co/GT0gBWVAWPpic.twitter.com/4SyTqBqJ7Y
— Teen Vogue (@TeenVogue) February 4, 2016
Meet Hijarbie, the Hijab-Wearing Barbie of Your Dreams https://t.co/Rt0wNIH7CXpic.twitter.com/E4aQ1gNTLx
— News & Magazine (@news8magazine) February 5, 2016
Some took issues with Adam’s use of the “original” white, blonde Barbie doll, but she said she was unable to get a black Barbie in Nigeria.
Since I'm dark skinned, Of course I wanted to dress up a black doll too. #Hijarbie
— Haneefah Adam (@ms_hanie) February 2, 2016
But like any story involving Muslims these days, there was unfortunately a barrage of tasteless, Islamophobic comments.
@MaryfromMarin@EricaJacobson13 Ridiculous. The Hijab is a sign of oppression. What next, Ken has 4 Barbie wives? Just piss off!
— Mathew Johnson (@UAI2000) February 5, 2016
BARBIE would never wear a hagib/garbage bag....but since she's been corrupted, will Ken have on a suicide vest? https://t.co/OjyooNzZSM
— AM (@ArRuple) February 5, 2016
@ArRuple This makes me sick. I can't believe how we are catering to a bunch of murders.
— VOTE4Trump (@needtoknowHim) February 5, 2016
Public Stoning, Acid Attack & Taharrush kit sold separately... #Barbie#Hijarbie#Islamhttps://t.co/xojPXfgKaT
— Alex Cowan (@Desareon) February 3, 2016
Toys go #FullRetard
— Mephistopheles (@myfist0) February 3, 2016
portray marxist feminized hipster males as barbies
no worries #Hijarbie will blow them up pic.twitter.com/MzCtwoJ70E
Hijarbie’s Instagram feed was only set up eight weeks ago.
Mattel’s famous doll, which has long been criticized for having unrealistic body proportions and promoting an unhealthy body weight, has suffered declining sales in recent years.
The company announced last month a new, more realistic range of Barbies in petite, tall, and curvy sizes, available in a variety of skin tones.
READ MORE: ‘Why would you want a fat Barbie?’ Internet gives mixed reaction to re-designed dolls
Adam is in the process of building a website and hopes to make the Hijarbie available for purchase.
