First hijab-wearing woman appears in Playboy magazine, divides opinion

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – For the first time in history, a Muslim woman wearing a hijab appeared in an American Playboy magazine, dividing opinion by her presence.

Nour Tagouri, 22, a Muslim-American woman and journalist working for Newsy, was featured in the men’s magazine’s Renegades issue.

The issue presents eight men and women “who aren’t afraid to break the rules.”

Tagouri, born in West Virgina to Libyan parents, wears a leather jacket, t-shirt, jeans, and trainers in the photos.

Playboy writes that Tagouri has made 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!!” Tagouri tweeted.

A group praised Tagouri for breaking taboos bravely, advertising modesty, and creating new audiences for her individuality and uniqueness.

“@NTagouri’s feature in Playboy focuses on her goals, her career and her passion. She’s not sexualized. That is badass. That is history,” tweeted a Muslim woman.

Others harshly criticized her for contributing to a magazine that has historically sexualized and objectified women.

Only recently did Playboy stop publishing photos of fully nude women.

Moreover, feminists describe Playboy as historically risqué and misogynistic.

“I don’t agree with @NTagouri appearing in a magazine that has unapologetically profited off the sexualisation and objectification of women,” tweeted Lina, a Muslim woman.

For her part, Tagouri says she does not pay attention to the criticism and is hoping to be the first hijab-wearing TV anchor on American television.

Delivering a TED talk last year, she argued wearing the hijab does not mean she is “submissive” or “oppressed,” and that it empowers her “in demystifying the stigma that surrounds Muslim women.”

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany