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Mattel announces its first hijab-wearing Barbie based on Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad

Posted at 1:06 PM, Nov 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-14 13:06:26-05

Barbie world continues to grow more diverse as Mattel plans to introduce its first hijab-wearing doll in 2018 based on Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad.

Mattel confirmed the news Monday, according to Al Jazeera.

Muhammad was both the first female Muslim-American to medal at the Summer Olympics and the first to wear a headscarf during competition.

"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," Muhammad wrote on Twitter on Monday.

This summer, Mattel diversified its iconic Ken dolls with a variety of skin tones and body types. The company introduced curvy, petite and tall Barbie dolls in 2016.