Olympian fencer inspires Barbie's first hijab-wearing doll

Ibtihaj Muhammad made history in Rio last year as the firstU.S. Olympian to represent her country wearing a hijab, afterearlier winning a gold medal in 2014 at the world fencingchampionships in Russia.

"I'm proud to know that little girls everywhere can now playwith a Barbie who chooses to wear hijab! This is a childhooddream come true," the Olympian posted on Twitter late Monday.

The hijab one of the most visible signs of Islamic culture is becoming increasingly popular with Western businesses, fromhijab-wearing models in top fashion magazines to Apple'srecently launched emojicharacter in a hijab.

The hijab-wearing Barbie, produced by company Mattel, ispart of Barbie's "Shero" line which recognises women "who breakboundaries to inspire the next generation of girls", and will goon sale in 2018, the company said.

"Ibtihaj is an inspiration to countless girls who never sawthemselves represented," Barbie's marketing vice president SejalShah Miller said in a statement.

"By honouring her story, we hope this doll reminds them thatthey can be and do anything."

Many Muslim women cover their heads in public with the hijabas a sign of modesty, although some critics see it as a sign offemale oppression.

Other dolls in the collection include African-Americanballerina Misty Copeland, and filmmaker Ava DuVernay, director of Selma and the upcoming A Wrinkle in Time.

In November, Danish toymaker Lego released figurines of fivewomen scientists, engineers and astronauts who worked for U.S.space agency NASA to inspire more girls to pursue careers inscience.