AND NOW: Noor Tagouri becomes first hijab-wearing Muslim woman to feature in Playboy magazine

– Noor Tagouri becomes first hijab-wearing Muslim woman to feature in Playboy magazine:

A Muslim woman has made history by becoming the first woman to wear hijab in Playboy magazine.

Noor Tagouri, a journalist at Newsy, stars as part of the men’s magazine’s Renegades issue which features eight men and women “who aren’t afraid to break the rules. In addition to Tagouri, it features the singer Sky Ferreira and the adult actress Stoya.

In the issue, Tagouri wears her hijab, leather jacket, t-shirt, jeans and trainers and is described by Playboy as making a “bold case for modesty”.

It’s here! I’m honored to share that @Playboy has named me a 2016 Renegade and has featured me in their piece!! https://t.co/Tc0LuwMPfB

— Noor Tagouri (@NTagouri) September 22, 2016

Her appearance in the controversial magazine has divided opinion. Many have supported and praised the journalist for breaking the mould and shaping her own narrative through her appearance and empowering words in the magazine.

Can we just appreciate the fact that @NTagouri is the EPITOME of feminism? Unapologetically muslim. Unapologetically female. #LEGENDARY.

— tooba warraich (@toobawarraich_) September 26, 2016

If it was a Muslim man in Playboy I doubt he would have received even a quarter of the criticism that @NTagouri is getting.

— ????? (@levantina_) September 26, 2016

I have such great respect and pride for my Libyan sister @NTagouri being published in Playboy as a MODEST educated successful woman. LEGEND.

— muffy crosswire (@19mer75) September 25, 2016

@NTagouri ‘s feature in playboy focuses on her goals, her career and her passion. she’s not sexualized. that is badass. that is history.

— fatima (@yafatoosh) September 25, 2016

@NTagouri @Playboy at first was confused but when I read the article it made sense & I get it,challenging stereotypes,whole new audience,wow

— shinydoc (@irishayesha) September 24, 2016

Others have criticised the West Virginia native for choosing a platform which has long been associated with misogyny and the objectification of women. She has also faced criticism over her modest dress code being at odds with the historically risqué magazine. Playboy stopped publishing fully nude photos of women earlier this year. 

I don’t agree with @NTagouri appearing in a magazine that has unapologetically profited off the sexualisation and objectification of women.

— Lina – ????? (@Lina_Serene) September 25, 2016

Congrats to @NTagouri for appearing in a magazine that objectifies women?? https://t.co/CSzpg2yucG

— Rowida (@rxwida) September 23, 2016

. @NTagouri you really shouldn’t feel honored to be featured in a magazine that profits from objectifying women.

— Zainab Al-Rawi (@zeerawi) September 24, 2016

In the interview, Tagouri discusses her career aspirations to become the first hijab-wearing news anchor on American television and says she doesn’t read or pay any attention to any hate or criticism she receives.

“It’s just negative energy and unhealthy,” she told the magazine. “I make sure to keep a great circle of people around me who keep me grounded […[ I just do the best I can to not worry about people who get upset because they don’t like something I wear or say.”

The reporter said she feels wearing a hijab has been an asset as it encourages people to trust and confide in her more when sharing to tell their stories.

“I think being a hijab Muslim woman helped me gain that trust,” she said. “I know what it’s like to have the narrative of our community be skewed and exploited in the media. I was like, ‘Hey, I know what it’s like to be misrepresented in the media. I won’t do that to you.’”

Aside from reporting, Tagouri is also a prominent campaigner having delivered a TED talk last year where she discussed wearing the hijab, reinforcing that it does not mean she is “submissive” or “oppressed and that it actually empowers her “in demystifying the stigma that surrounds Muslim women”.

Tagouri says she will think she’s had a positive effect and achieved her mission when “all girls realise they can do anything they want without having to sacrifice who they are as a person”.

“I may dress a little different – I’m a reporter who happens to wear a headscarf and I live in my hoodie – but being a story teller, motivational speaker, entrepreneur and unapologetically myself has opened so many doors for thousands of people,” she says.

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