Playboy causes a stir… Libyan-American journalist Noor Tagouri has done something that has never been done before—become the first hijabi woman featured in Playboy. And fully clothed, too. In her interview with the men’s magazine, Tagouri made a case for modesty and talked about her career. The story began trending on social media, sparking mixed reactions of support and criticism for Tagouri.
Plenty of Arab women Tweeps showed praise for Tagouri’s move, stating that the article’s focus was not on her looks, but her work. Others, however, say that Playboy and modesty just don’t mix.
@yafatoosh: “@NTagouri’s feature in Playboy focuses on her goals, her career and her passion. She’s not sexualized. That is history. The real misogyny lies with the people who get angry at her for being featured [in Playboy], but didn’t blink when Malcolm X & [Muhammad] Ali were.”
@ImamSuhaibWebb: “Muslims may not know that one of Malcolm X’s greatest interviews was in Playboy. I can attest to the goodness that is @NTagouri”
@toobawarraich_: “Can we just appreciate the fact that @NTagouri is the EPITOME of feminism? Unapologetically Muslim. Unapologetically female. #LEGENDARY.”
@rxwida: “With or without nudity, Playboy not only objectifies women - it degrades us, the antithesis of what the hijab is supposed to mean/do.”
@levantina_: “If it was a Muslim man in Playboy, I doubt he would have received even a quarter of the criticism that @NTagouri is getting.”
@19mer75: “I have such great respect and pride for my Libyan sister @NTagouri being published in Playboy as a MODEST, educated, successful woman. LEGEND.”
@Lina_Serene: “I don’t agree with @NTagouri appearing in a magazine that has unapologetically profited of the sexualisation and objectification of women.”
@anthonypermal: “Nour Tagouri becomes first hijab wearing woman on @Playboy as a - pun intended - cover girl.”
On Facebook, users wrote in length about their views. Some were conflicted, as they consider Tagouri a good individual, but do not agree with her decision. Others put the blame on Playboy.
Maha Jaafil: “I don’t understand how a Muslim woman who wears a hijab can ever represent the slightest interest in playboy. Does society quickly forget what the hijab means, what it stands for in Islam, just because a popular name shows up on your doorstep asking for some attention? [...] Playboy does not take modesty into consideration, or it wouldn’t be playboy.”
Mafabi Twaha Nangoli: “Why is this surprising? People can do anything for money and fame, what has religion got to do with this. Stop regarding everyone with a hijab or beard as religiously devout.”
Nadia Sheikh Bandukda: “Not going to lie, while Noor did not exactly take the greatest step recently with being interviewed by Playboy... Don’t let judgment and recent things take away from what she was, what words she’s spoken, and what she hopes to do for the future. Let’s move on now, please!”
Zahra Abdullah: “I am no one to give judgement on what she has done. We are in need for platforms to identify/show ourselves to the world that we are not what they are thinking of. and what she has taken is a solid different, no one couldn’t have thought of, path. She is daringly courageous. But how media portrays this interview is the negative aspect of this whole controversy issue […]For me, The mainstream media gave the very wrong impression to Noor Tagouri’s motive.
Fawzia Afzal Khan: “Why blame Playboy mag for contributing to “confusion” around the hijab? I’m sure the editors didn’t force miss Tagouri to appear on its cover! […] The hijab has become as much of a fetish as the bikini--and Playboy didn’t create this fetish; it’s merely drawing attention to it, with the willing participation of Nour Tagouri.”
Nour Tagouri’s Instagram has been flooded with comments of support and criticism.
@syedahmeddd: “Empowerment is fine. Empowerment through Playboy? Really? I know they gave you [Noor Tagouri] enough money to pose, but you gotta think about all the other Muslim sisters. For example, there’s Malala Yousafzai and she’s been empowering the whole world without posing for magazines like Playboy.”
@fatima.zehrah: “I’m sitting here trying to figure out why you’re trying to speak for Muslim women when you’re not even one or have any knowledge on it.”
@gigoelmoselhi: “Good for you. Never stop being who you are!”
@thefrekcleddiamond: “She did what she thought made sense to her at the time. It is so easy for us to thrash out and say mean things to her or about her. It is harder to be kind and hold back. She has so much to give and she is a huge role model to many young and old females. This magazine doesn’t deserve someone like her in it. This company mocks modesty.”
