By In their recent back-to-school catalog, Target Australia featured a woman wearing a headscarf (hijab), who is presumably either a Muslim or modeling as one.
The company received mixed reactions to the photo on social media: some comments voicing support and approval, others expressing disappointment and even disgust.
Target has stated that it is hoping to “represent the diversity of all Australians” through this catalog (which also included the photo of a girl wearing leg braces).
Many customers have publicly declared that they will be boycotting Target, and are encouraging others to do the same.
Target has stated that it is hoping to “represent the diversity of all Australians” through this catalog (which also included the photo of a girl wearing leg braces).
Many customers are expressing their appreciation, as they or their family members belong to underrepresented groups. However, showcasing diversity often has its drawbacks, and Target certainly received some negativity for its attempts at doing so. This backlash shows that Islamophobia is very much alive.
I applaud Target for taking a risk by going against the status quo and featuring minority groups. One way we can encourage other companies to follow suit is by showing our support for Target’s catalog on social media, and continuing to give them our business. I may just go to Target to buy a headscarf sometime soon!
In an effort to silence critics of political Islam, advocates needed to come up with terminology that would enable them to portray themselves as victims. Abdur-Rahman Muhammad, a former member of the IIIT said he was present when his then-allies, meeting at the offices of the International Institute for Islamic Thought (IIIT) in Northern Virginia years ago, coined the term Islamophobia. “https://www.facebook.com/mariamveis/posts/735108429974460?comment_id=735217933296843&reply_comment_id=735254293293207¬if_t=share_reply¬if_id=1484463393397101&hc_location=ufi