Nigerian Blogger Creates A Muslim Inspired Barbie


     Hijarbie is a modestly dressed doll styled by Haneefah Adam out of her bedroom in Kwara state, western Nigeria. The doll is styled in hijabs,maxi skirts, well covered tops and abayas in bold prints and colours.
     Haaneefah who has a masters degree in Pharmacology from Coventry University in the UK said the idea for Hijarbie came to her after going through a popular Barbie Style site on social media where she noticed all the dolls where dressed in skimpy or tight fitting outfits - a style most Muslim girls are unable to identify with. Hijarbie shows young Muslim girls that they can be fashionable and stylish without losing their identity.
     The dolls are imported from China while Haneefah designs their clothes using locally sourced fabrics. Around 200 dolls have been sold since February via a distributor in the UK from where it is dispatched to other parts of the world. It retails for 25 pounds. What started as a hobby shared on Instagram is growing into a profitable business for Haneefah.
     Hijarbie is part of a growing global movement trying to show the hijab and other modest Islamic dresses as symbols of empowerment for women and not oppression. Nigeria is home to around 180 million people roughly split between Christians and Muslims.

Please click here for video.

Picture credit +Seun Sanni














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