Muslim Barbie and the power of toys.
Came across this article just now:
Barbie inspires modest, Muslim alternative
Called Salma, from the Arabic word for peace, the doll comes dressed in a variety of costumes, ranging from the black “abaya” cloak to a loose-fitting white prayer dress.
All Salma’s clothes are long-sleeved and down to her ankles and come with matching headscarves that cover her hair.
Salma’s creator, businesswoman Sukmawati Suryaman, said she was inspired to create a modestly dressed doll last year after seeing her niece playing with Barbie.
“I remember thinking that I wish we had Muslim dolls like these as we all know that children easily imitate their toys,” she told Reuters.
Hey, why not? I’m surprised this hasn’t been popular before this, unless this is just the first time it’s reported in an article I’ve come across.
Which leads me to think of a fun poll: What toys did you play with as kids? And do you feel that as a kid, you imitated your toys? Were they inspiring or just silly?
Join the Conversation
When I was out shopping for gifts for the local charity gift drive, I was trying to find “Salma” as a gift for an anonymous little girl.
As a kid, I played with a lot of model airplanes and jets because I wanted to be a pilot. I ended up becoming a US Navy carrier pilot, so I suppose that toys do have an influence on a child’s mind and desire. The other thing I wanted to be was a rock star. I didn’t get my first guitar until I was in my early 20′s and it was fun to learn and to jam in the dorm room with friends. Drums are something else I picked up later because I always wanted to learn how to play drums. I don’t own a drum kit, but while living in Japan on my last assignmnt, I used to go to Tokyo to a drum studio at night and practice and do some free form drumming.
Never let the kid inside you grow up!
That’s a cool assessment… My toys of choice were always animals, not people… Which makes sense with the me of today. Cuz I like animals better than I like people.
People make conflict and make me tired.
I purchased a veiled “Barbie-like” doll when I was in the West Bank city of El-Beireh just north of Ramallah during my last comedy tour called “Fulla.” The good thing about this doll is that her face is not covered, but she has a full black abaya that comes in other colors, too.
I am opposed to face-veiling as I see it as a symbol of oppression — vicyims of oppression often embrace the oppression knowing they can’t do a thing about it, tio explain it away. But I was impressed with this doll only had a Hijab, which is not a face covering.
Anyway, I do several jokes about Berqas and also about “Fatima Barbie” as a part of my standup comedy routine that get’s loads of laughs from Israelis and more so from Palestinians … at least no one goes suicide bomber on me when I joke about berqas — which are a symbol of oppression in my mind. Joking about them helps to raise the issue of their absurdity.
Ray Hanania
http://www.ArabWritersGroup.com
The power of toys cannot be overestimated in the education of children. There have been longstanding criticisms of Barbie in the West as a symbol promoting a specific body type, and as contributing to the problems of anorexia and bulimia. Of course, the question is what is the best response. One possibility comes from the creation of a gay Ken doll which was a subversion and appropriation of well-known iconic symbol. Yet, does a Barbie with a veil make her an Arab or a Muslim? Is this not a capitulation to the current aesthetics of power and to widely disseminated cultural stereotypes? And, what of a Barbie that is a little overweight or has a skin condition? Toys participate in the training of children, just as in the West do clothes: blue for boys, pink for girls, etc. We must become much more conscious of the nuances of power in the education of children, who will be our future, and one that will come sooner than we think.
I’ve seen Fulla dolls dressed in a variety of outfits, even some without hijab.
As for all the screwed up things barbie promotes, that’s why we have Groovy Girls; they’re far more fun to dress, too.
I guess I should link: http://www.groovy-girl.co.uk/
I think Muslim barbies are just as screwed up as western barbies. They still offer only one model of womanhood. I think that Fulla and Sara are just as limiting as Barbie or whoever else.
Nice post Eliesheva,
Well,when I was a kid (about 7 to 8 years) I had a collection of the characters from an old cartoon series called ‘Thunder Cats’ that was very close to my heart , I also had collections of soldiers and WWF wrestlers, pretty much what normally male kids would have!
Before that when I was aboutr 4-5 years old I had the wonderful Danish invention of LEGO, something I believe every parents should buy their children!
Ray Hanania,
The face veil is not a sign of oppression. That’s just your ignorant thinking. We Muslim women have a choice to wear Hijab or Niqab. I’ve wore both of them and I love them. Honestly Ray, the jokes you make about the face veil are very ignorant and really show you’re intolerant mentality.
Im all up for the muslim barbie doll, and to answer the question when i was a kid i didnt care nore think about black white, brown, christian, muslim. I played with Nina turtles stuff like that.
I heard if you dont wear a fully coverd veil in certain muslim countries that the men dont look at you or your face. In fact i think you get in serius trouble for it.
Not to mention how women walk behind men in those muslim nations. Personally i think its your ignorance for not knowing that you are being oppressed as a women, i think your so brain washed into thinking what you think that you dont see the whole truth behind things.
As i always say… Im glad i was born white and without a religion. Athiest ftw all these problems in the world in the past and now were caused by religion or greed.
my Muslim website is not up yet but will be in about a month and i will be selling all different Muslim dolls with Muslim doll clothes,books,tapes,audio and video,puzzles,games and more.i believe in Muslim toys for Muslim children because it gives them something appropriate to imitate.It is fun and is positive and shows the sweet,loving good side of Islam.In a nut shell I think it is a great way for children to learn about their beautiful religion called Islam.by Debbie Al-Harbi
my website isn’t up yet but will be on March 30th and i believe in the muslim dolls because it gives a muslim child something to internalize that is a part of her. wearing the hijab and abaya or modest dress becomes a natural thing to emulate. My website is all about islamic manners,peace,kindness,and all that is good about Islam and geared for children one to fourteen.It makes the muslim child proud of who he or she is. by Debbie Al-Harbi
My muslim website is finally up and it is called muslimtoysanddolls.com and it is an Islamic website that sells very selective Islamic and Learning Arabic toys,books,and Dolls. Speaking of Dolls I sell the talking Muslim doll called Aamina and she teaches the surahs,prayers,and talks with you about Islamic supplications,and Fulla who represents Muslim values of honesty,pride,confidence,respect for others,loves to learn and enjoys reading,and Arrosa Islamic doll with real eyelashes,and custom made clothing,very modest with hijab,and hijab and abaya,or prayer outfit with prayer beads…a little bit off topic I sell Islamic books and learning Arabic books in the form of Activity books,Mazes books,sticker books,coloring books,and reading books.I sell Islamic and learning Arabic computer and electronic toys.One sort is called step by step fun to learn Arabic writing board. I also sell Arabic alphabet blocks,Arabic foam mats,Quran Challange game,What to say when game,Kalimatt,Islamic Manners game,Quranic opposites game and more.I also sell Islamic and learning Arabic stickers,Islamic Jewelry,Girls hijabs and girls Fulla child sized prayer outfits.I also sell Islamic clocks,Islamic mousepads,Islamic doorbells,Islamic hand appliqued Prayer rugs for children and much more.I sell over 550 different items and they are very selective so that the child will have fun and imitate and eventually internalize what being a good Muslim is in a serious manner.Please minfadlik,kindly take a look at muslimtoysanddolls.com shookrun,thank you,fi aman Allah,God be with you,Sister Debbie Al-Harbi
i am thrilled with the response i have been getting with my website muslimtoysanddolls.com i am the biggest seller in the usa of All types of Islamic dolls including Fulla,Leen,Arrosa,Aamina,yousuf,jameelah and more and i also sell over 80 different types of handmade islamic outfits modest with hijab,and hijab and abaya,and prayer outfits with prayer beads and Islamic books,electronic toys,games,puzzles and more.I sell over 600 different highly selective items.please kindly take a look,shookrun,Fee aman Allah,Sister Debbie muslimtoysanddolls.com
Your Commentmuslimtoysanddolls.com now has over 1,700 products and is a charity site.last year 100% of income went to charitys. Please support this site.