Fulla - The Doll with Values

Young girls here are infatuated with Fulla, and traditional parents who would not buy Barbies for their daughters seem happy to pay for a modest doll that has her own miniature prayer rug, in pink felt. Children who even want to dress just like their dolls can purchase an identical, girl-size prayer rug and cotton scarf set, all in pink.

Fulla Doll and the Muslim Lifestyle
The Fulla Doll was first introduced in 2003 being marketed in mostly Arab countries as a Muslim lifestyle prop that caters to the modern Muslim needs and wants. Its creators, Syria based New Boy Design Studios, created the Doll with Muslim values in mind much in bleak difference to the all-American Barbie who is considered to be an iconic “role-model” for young girls worldwide.

Meeting the Inspiration for an Islamic Lifestyle
Although often seen as a religion of “traditional,” the Muslim lifestyle is basically something new as Muslims begin to untie themselves from cultural cling-ons and customary practices that are not approved by Islamic wisdom. Even in the Arab world, the quantity of women in hijab (the Muslim headscarf for women) is progressively increasing as the younger female generations are growing more aware of and becoming better educated concerning the Muslim woman dress code. s.
The Fulla Doll has spawned through this inspiration, parting off a mark on the significance of adhering to Islamic main beliefs. New Boy Design Studios has tapped into the Muslim market by expressively connecting with parents who desire to raise the next generation of practicing Muslims, just by providing a reference guide in the shape of a toy.

The Necessity of an Islamic Role Model
In his book “The Real Toy Story”, author Eric Clark writes that the toy industry, mainly the US industry, uses sexual and violent publicity to market toys. He notes that this form of advertising can attract younger children to sex and violence even earlier than puberty. Children tend to define success, beauty and wealth in terms of teen idols. Television, including children’s programs; polished magazines and advertising; music and music videos including the internet – they all promote sex and glamour as part of a victorious lifestyle. As an effect, Fulla Doll’s creators recognized a strong requirement for an Islamic role-model, especially for young girls. Though the dolls and their supplementary products carry a first-rate price, mothers believe that they are “spending money for a good cause.”

“With so many negative influences today, it is easy for young children – girls and boys – to be attracted to amoral devices. Just turn on the television and choose the wrong channel, and you will see a whole world of hostility and nonsense So it is a good idea to co-parent with an Islamic third parent and so far, I am happy with Fulla’s influence, ” Amina Khuswary, a mother of five from Syria, shares.

Like Amina, other Muslim parents could do with role-models for their children. With a pink scarf and a prayer mat as evidence, the link between children and the Fulla doll is strengthened. With such a strong bond to the toy, parents feel secure that their children would be able to imitate the doll’s values that have been packaged as part of the Fulla lifestyle.