March 2024

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The Barbie doll has been around since 1959 and she has gone through many different looks since then. Haneefa Adam from Nigeria created a hijab-wearing version of the iconic toy. “Hijarbie” currently has more than 25,000 followers on Instagram.

Representing Muslim girls

Adam, 24, has a Masters in pharmacology from the UK. She first began thinking about Hijarbie while she was finishing up her studies. When looking at the widely popular Barbie Style Instagram account, she told Mic that:

It got me thinking about how I’d actually like to see a doll dressed up like I would have — covered up.  “When I got back to Nigeria, I went to the mall, purchased a doll, dressed it up, documented it and here we are.”

In another interview, she added that:

“It has roots in my religion and cultural identity. The way Barbie dresses is very skimpy and different and there’s nothing wrong with it. I just wanted to give another option for Muslim girls like me.”

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Hoping to inspire people

Adam makes all of Hijarbie’s clothes herself. While it was initially a fun and creative outlet for her, it has become much more than that. She hopes that having a doll that represents the Middle Eastern culture and religion can inspire young Muslim girls:

 “At the end of the day, it will create a sense of value and will be inspiring them to be more confident, more driven, to believe more in themselves which leads to an appreciation of herself and her modest lifestyle and upbringing.” 

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Battling misconceptions

The response has been overwhelmingly positive, but she does get a few negative comments. Mainly, the misconception that all Muslim women are oppressed by men and forced to wear a hijab. Adam points out that the majority of Muslim women are covering themselves out of their own free will. There are also many who do not cover their hair at all – it does not make them any less Muslim.  

“Hijab means modesty to me and it’s my unique identity. It’s my crown and it represents my own personal control over the way I want to be seen. Not leaving out the fact that it’s a religious induction.”

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Big upcoming plans

Adam is constantly asked whether the dolls will be for sale, and she responds by saying that she is working on it! She plans to create Hijarbie in other races; she was unable to find any in Nigeria and had to order the dolls from abroad. This way, even more girls will identify with their dolls.  

“It’s important to create a sense of value in the Muslim child, especially the girl child,” she said.”They become more confident, more driven, they believe more in themselves, which leads to an appreciation of herself and her modest lifestyle and upbringing. Instead of dressing up her dolls in clothes she wouldn’t wear, hijabifying it will create a sense of belonging and hopefully make a positive impact.”  

In the meantime, she is also launching a modest lifestyle brand named Hanie.

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SEE ALSO: South African Girls Are Falling In Love With A Stylish Black Doll.