If you are not living under a rock, you’ll know that the latest Barbie movie was released earlier this month. Thousands of women and young girls, adorned in pink from head to toe, flocked to cinemas near them, excited to watch it. But what is all the propaganda surrounding this movie? Is it just an innocent chick flick with a female protagonist, or is there a more sinister side to this movie that goes against Islamic teachings?
Read on to learn more about the truth about the negative publicity around the latest Barbie movie.
When Was Barbie Born?
The famous Barbie doll appeared on the toys scene in early 1959. It was derived from a German doll called Bild Lilli.
Bild Lilli was an infamous German doll that oozed sex appeal and captivated readers with her attractive looks. Barbie doesn’t seem so innocent now, does she?
Barbie’s Warped Image
Barbie was made out to be a role model for pre-teen and tween girls. She was given a voluptuous figure, a scant wardrobe on her body, but heavy on the pocket. She symbolizes consumerism with a wardrobe that could fill her whole house!
It’s well-known that the traditional Barbie doll has an unrealistic body. If a real person had Barbie’s body, she could not walk upright!
Numerous studies on a large group of different-aged girls have shown that the ones who played with Barbies suffered from a negative body image about themselves. They had many complaints about the way they looked.
Unfortunately, the traditional Barbie makes girls think they must look a certain way to be beautiful.
What is the Feminist Controversy Surrounding Barbie?
“She’s everything. He’s just a Ken.”
Barbie- the Movie
The movie’s tagline gives away a lot: men have no place in a woman’s life! The men in the movie have been emasculated and undermined. Barbie shows girls they can do it all without needing a man.
The movie’s storyline is all about Barbieland, a fantasy world where females rule, making it no less than paradise. The women are wonderful, whereas the men are acceptable only because they’re subordinates. In the real world, where men are on top, they’re ignorant, inconsiderate, and, quite simply put: Foolish
Barbie guides young girls towards waywardness and illicit behavior, all while undermining the role of men as protectors, maintainers, and guiders- precisely the role Islam has given them!
Islam’s message is the opposite of Barbie’s: the role of both in our society and families is vital!
Barbie Does NOT Equal Empowerment:
Islam has laid out definitive roles for both Males and females. As Muslim women, we know empowerment is not only about our looks or ability to ‘rule over men.’ Empowerment comes from the knowledge of Islam.
Allah gives women a great place in society. We must understand the value of being wives, mothers, and successful Muslim women. We don’t need to give up our values for some shallow empowerment.
True women empowerment comes through the strength of character, the ability to identify and understand the fickle Western standards of female empowerment, and the understanding of Islam.
Is Barbie A Role Model for Girls?
Why should Muslim women need such a shallow and unethical role model as Barbie? The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) promised Jannah to four women:
“The best of women among the people of Paradise are Khadija bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Maryam bint 'Imran, and 'Asiyah bint Muzahim, the wife of Pharaoh.”
These women, the best amongst the people of Jannah, are the women young Muslim girls should look up to! They had immense strength of character and devotion to Allah and his Prophets. Additionally, they had a deep sense of right and wrong and dedication to the Muslim Ummah and its propagation.
These women are the ideal role models for Muslim women, from generation to generation. Studying their lives can teach us piety, wisdom, courage, and unwavering faith in the face of all difficult conditions.
Which Countries Banned Barbie?
Because of its controversial scenes deemed inappropriate for younger audiences and hints at LGBTQ relations, many Middle Eastern countries banned the movie.
Barbie Banned in Kuwait:
Kuwait’s censor board said about the movie: “[carries] ideas that encourage unacceptable behavior and distort society’s values.”
Barbie Banned in Lebanon:
Muhammed Murtada, Lebanon’s Culture Minister, said the movie “promoted homosexuality.” and also promoted lewd and inappropriate values against the Islamic faith.
Barbie Banned in Vietnam:
In Vietnam, the movie is banned due to an entirely different reason. Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism revoked Barbie‘s license to play in cinemas due to a world map displayed in the movie. The Vietnamese government deems it offensive over a long-disputed border issue with China.
Saudi Arabia and UAE
Both countries allowed the movie to premiere after censor boards edited it to suit their laws.
Conclusion
To lead our lives on the correct path, shown to us by the Quran and Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), we must understand the importance of both male and female in Islam. Both have a unique place in society, our homes, and each other’s lives.
By learning from the Quran and the Sunnah, we can ensure we lead our lives according to Allah’s will. With this knowledge as a shield, may we never fall prey to the shallow standards the West sets and the likes of any lifeless Barbies! Ameen
