By: Farah Wael
The American toy brand Mattel has made a doll modelled after the barrier-breaking athlete Ibtihaj Muhammad, who made history as the first American athlete to compete in the Olympics wearing hijab.
Glamour magazine presented the doll at Monday’s Women of the Year summit in New York City as Barbie has been working hard to make its collection of dolls more diverse in an effort to broaden the brand’s appeal.
“We are so excited to honor @IbtihajMuhammad with a one-of-a-kind #Barbie doll! Ibtihaj continues to inspire women and girls everywhere to break boundaries,” the brand wrote on their Instagram post
“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,” Ibtihaj Muhammad said in a tweet.