A much-needed dose of representation
In an increasingly diverse world, representation is more important than ever. More specifically, accurate representation of minority groups that are often inaccurately depicted in the media. One of these groups is the Muslim community in the West, more specifically, the community of young Muslim girls. The typical depiction of Muslim girls tends to be that they are oppressed and yearning for freedom from the barriers of their faith and family expectations.
The new Marvel show, Ms Marvel features Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-Muslim high school student living in New Jersey. The premise of a female Muslim superhero is undoubtedly a step in the right direction as there are a number of inspiring and powerful examples of Muslim women that can be found throughout Islamic history.
Another common frustration the Muslim community feels in regards to Muslim characters in films and shows is the inaccurate depiction of Islam and of Muslim people. So while watching the show, one of the main questions I sought an answer to was how accurately does this show present Islam and Muslims?
For a long time, I had hoped for a show that would feature its main protagonist as a Muslim girl, and when I heard of the MCU releasing Ms Marvel, I was ecstatic. It was exciting and long overdue to see a character who looked like me and had lived a similar life to mine in the spotlight.
From episode 1, I had high hopes and expectations for the episodes to come. There were multiple relatable references made to the experience of teenage Muslim girls living in the West. In the first episode, Kamala starts her driving test with Bismillah, upon which her driving instructor responds, “Bless you;” a witty reference to how many people generally lack knowledge of common Islamic phrases. Small details like this were much appreciated as myself and many other Muslims can relate to this type of experience. It was nice to hear Arabic phrases and words such as Salaam and halal and haram being used commonly and unapologetically without some sort of explosion or dangerous situation occurring. Watching Kamala interact with her family and the world around her was like viewing a playback of my own life. I could find multiple things to relate to. Many people can relate personally to Kamala Khan and it is refreshing to see such positive and true representation of the young Muslim experience.
It is important to point out that this show is not centered around Kamala being Muslim, but rather her being an ordinary teenage girl, who happens to have awesome super powers. She is a relatable, fun-loving, and carefree, and people need to see this type of Muslim on the screens as it represents what many young Muslims are actually like. Not only is the overall representation accurate, it is ordinary, which is important for people to see, as Muslims are just like anyone else. Muslim kids are normal people who go to school, have friends, and go through the all too common rebellious teenage phase.
This is important because the Muslim community is so poorly represented across the media, it is vital that a show featuring a Muslim character, especially a female one, is portrayed accurately and the references made to Islam are accurately presented. As a Muslim-American woman, I believe it is important for not only young Muslims girls to have positive, strong, Muslim female role models in films and television, but also non-Muslim girls who need to see that Muslims are normal people who can achieve anything and their faith doesn’t inhibit them from success.
In fact, from the very first episode, Kamala expresses a view shared by many young girls like her. “Let’s be honest. It’s not really the brown girls from Jersey City who save the world.” This little nod to the truth felt in the hearts of brown girls living in the diaspora is is once again the reason why the show is both good and real.
I remember watching ‘Spiderman Homecoming’, ‘Spiderman Far From Home’, and ‘Spiderman No Way Home’ and jumping in excitement at seeing a hijab wearing extra character in the background. In fact, when I watched the much anticipated ‘No Way Home’ film with my friends and they saw the one second clip of a hijabi in the background they joked, “Bashire, look it’s you!” Never did I think I would see an entire show featuring the main character as a Muslim girl. I had only ever seen them as extras in the background, as oppressed, or as terrorists. This was a dream come true.
I didn’t have to limit my excitement to accept Muslim representation in brief, seconds-long clips in backgrounds. Instead I could enjoy an entire show featuring these things.
It is important for young girls especially to see positive representations of people who look like them and Kamala is just the type of inspiring female character we need to see on the screens. As I watched, I felt like I could see aspects of myself in Kamala and it was heart-warming to finally see.
The way Muslim women are typically represented in the media in movies and television often shows them in oppressed environments, needing saving typically from Western male heroic figures. In Ms Marvel however, Kamala is the hero and she saves her friends' lives on more than one occasion.
Along with stunning visual effects, engaging plot lines, and witty jokes, the creators of Ms Marvel have truly succeeded at creating not only a great show, but accurately depicting the experiences of many Muslim youths in the West. Along with Kamala, there were some great characters in this show including Nakia, Kamran, and Kamala’s best friend, Bruno, who my family affectionately refers to as ‘Bruno beta.’
One thing in particular I was hoping for was that the writers would avoid adding a love interest for Kamala. One frustration I have had in the past with Muslim girls in shows is that they end up dating and having pre-marital relations and neglect important aspects of the Islamic faith. As there is no concept of pre-marital dating in Islam, I would have been disappointed to see this addition in the show, as many Muslim girls do avoid dating and follow the Islamic guidance on relationships. At one point, much to my dismay, there is about to be a kiss between Kamala and Kamran, which is thankfully interrupted by Bruno, and my family and I pumped our fists in the air thanking ‘Bruno beta’ for stepping in.
As a Pakistani-Muslim girl myself growing up in the West, I know what it is like to be misunderstood and misrepresented which is why Ms Marvel is a big deal to me. I am glad that we finally get to see a Muslim girl saving lives instead of being the one who has to be saved. After so much poor representation, I never expected to enjoy a show with a female Muslim lead, as it had never been done properly before. But Ms Marvel has been a pleasant surprise and I am excited to see what future seasons have in store for this inspirational character.
Bashire Jamil is a freelance writer. All information and facts provided are the sole responsibility of the writer.