Muslim Barbie?? - Page 2

AOII_LB93 · #16 10-08-2003, 10:16 PM

Quote : Jenna, who recently donned the veil after much soul-searching, said Razanne makes her "feel more comfortable about being a Muslim girl."

I'm not knocking the doll, great idea!

My question is: How many 11 year olds could even tell you what soul searching is much less have done any by their 11th birthday?

#17 10-08-2003, 10:30 PM

I think it's a great idea. I mean they have other Barbies from other countries like Norway, Poland, and Holland and no one pitched a fit over those. So why not have a Barbie that looks like she's from the Middle East? It's not a big deal. Come on guys! Just because there's a war going on in that region doesn't mean that culture doesn't exist! I don't understand why people are getting their boxers, briefs, and panties in a wad.

Honeykiss1974 · #18 10-08-2003, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AchtungBaby80
Guys, is this really necessary? I know there are a lot of stereotypes about Muslims, but geez. Like some have said, if little girls identify more with this doll, then what's wrong with it?

I totally agree with you on this. I don't believe there is anything wrong with dolls that reflect, especially in the sense of looks, a particular ethnicity or heritage.

This doll is no different than the American Girl series or Barbie's friends.

OAN,

i don't know too many 11 year olds who's soul searching extends beyond things like which scrunchie to wear or the next episode of Lizze McGuire. But hey, some kids are more "advanced" than others, I guess....

Imthachamp · #19 10-08-2003, 10:51 PM

BURN THE DOLLS!

cashmoney · #20 10-08-2003, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ztawinthropgirl
I think it's a great idea. I mean they have other Barbies from other countries like Norway, Poland, and Holland and no one pitched a fit over those.

Do they really? I've never heard of them. I always thought they just had black barbie and white barbie.

mmcat · #21 10-08-2003, 11:38 PM

it makes sense to give the girls an idea that is relevant...

breathesgelatin · #22 10-09-2003, 12:28 AM

Hey, I'd get my kid this doll, and I'm not even Muslim! I dislike Barbie. She's fakey and stupid. BOOOO

swissmiss04 · #23 10-09-2003, 12:30 AM

To call a doll "gay" because it gives girls a decent role model within the context of their culture and religion is really juvenile and unintelligent. Of course I expected such from you. If you think the dolls are stupid or whatever that's fine. You are totally allowed to respectfully express your opinion. But all the stereotyping and racial comments should stop (mods u agree???). And here's an FYI: not all Muslims come from the Middle East nor all "brown people". I'm as WASPy as they get, so please don't be so quick to assume anything. Thanks guys!

SapphireSphinx9 · #24 10-09-2003, 05:23 AM

At first I was kinda like, WTH??? But after thinking about it, I think it's a good idea. I'm not Muslim, but if I were I'd want my kids to have one. There are tons of different types of Barbies out there, so why not make one for Muslim children?

honeychile · #25 10-09-2003, 08:53 AM

[hijack]

I'm not going to go into detail here, but one of my pledge sisters was executed by her Muslim husband for disobedience, and since they were living in a Muslim country, he was not prosecuted. In fact, he is considered a good family man. One of the ways I could come to grips with this tragedy is by reading several books on Islam, both scholarly & anecdotal.

I highly recommend the books Princess and Princess Sultana's Daughters to those who want even a small look at Muslim life for women in Saudi Arabia. Muslim girls are much more aware of the meaning of the veil at a very early age. I recommend these particular books because they are an easy read, not anti-Islam, and autobiographical.

[/hijack]

#26 10-09-2003, 10:18 AM

My studies are specifically in the Middle East and Islam. I know the tragedies happening in the Middle East towards women, but that doesn't mean we can't respect those women. Every region in the world has a past, present, and future that's not so perfect (not that I am condoning these actions on anyone's part). Mattel has made Barbies to honor the cultures of other countries. Heck, they have a German Barbie in traditional German clothing and we're not knocking that. There's also an Italian Barbie in traditional clothing (ding ding: Moussilini). No, it's not a Nazi uniform and we're not trying to replicate Osama bin Laden here. The Barbie is just putting these Muslim women at the forefront of marketing. This is what Muslim women "look" like and I am using that phrase loosely. It's not degrading to these women who were born into Islam or who have chosen that lifestyle.

bethany1982 · #27 10-09-2003, 10:38 AM

I wonder if they will decide to make a Muslim "Ken" or Muhammad. If they do, what accessories will they make for him?

swissmiss04 · #28 10-09-2003, 10:59 AM

To those of you with a brain, thank you. And I'm sorry about your pledge sister, honeychile. Just please don't blame his supposed faith ('cause apparently he has/had none) for what he did. That's horrible that anyone can even think of killing anyone, much less do it. Saudi Arabia is a blemish on the Islamic world, and anything you hear about them would make anyone biased. But it's sorta like here; the majority of people identify themselves as Christian, but yet we see tons of un Christian behavior every single day. Culture and religion are two different cans of worms that at times get confused. Doesn't make it right though.

ETA: They wouldn't make a "Muhammed" doll because images of him are completely forbidden. I think a Ken doll would be kind cool though

#29 10-09-2003, 11:23 AM

and BTW, honeychile I am sorry about your pledge sister because that's not what Islam is mainly about. I have a friend from Saudi Arabia who is very liberal based on everything coming from that region. He is a very intelligent, humorous person and very much Muslim. He is also very kind and gentle hearted. He isn't like the man that killed your pledge sister. He is quite very opposite from that. My friend is only a small portion of the Saudi world and he's rebelled against a lot of stuff that goes on within his country. He's actually been arrested for walking down the road when he was supposed to be at home praying. He was arrested by the religious police (yes, they have those). He's proud of it and he tells everybody.

bethany1982 · #30 10-09-2003, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by swissmiss04
To those of you with a brain, thank you. And I'm sorry about your pledge sister, honeychile. Just please don't blame his supposed faith ('cause apparently he has/had none) for what he did. That's horrible that anyone can even think of killing anyone, much less do it. Saudi Arabia is a blemish on the Islamic world, and anything you hear about them would make anyone biased. But it's sorta like here; the majority of people identify themselves as Christian, but yet we see tons of un Christian behavior every single day. Culture and religion are two different cans of worms that at times get confused. Doesn't make it right though.

ETA: They wouldn't make a "Muhammed" doll because images of him are completely forbidden. I think a Ken doll would be kind cool though

I was not referring to their supposed prophet. I simply used the name as a general reference. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I thought Muhammed was a commonly used name, somewhat like Jesus is in the Hispanic world. Perhaps I spelled it wrong. I hope my mistake did not offend.