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Muslim Activist Rejects Revlon Award

Photo credits: Gal Gadot and Amani al-Khatahtbeh Facebook pages.

 

Muslim women activist and writer rejected Revlon’s Changemaker Award because of the giant’s recent recognition of Gal Gadot, actress and advocate for Israel Defense Forces, as its ambassador.

Sources: Teen Vogue and The Jerusalem Post

When Revlon recently announced Wonder Woman‘s Gal Gadot as brand ambassador for its newest “Live Boldly” campaign, it emphasized her message of empowerment. To celebrate the initiative further, the beauty brand recently gave MuslimGirl‘s Amani Al-Khatahtbeh the Changemaker Award, in recognition of her inspirational advocacy for Muslim women. However, Amani took to social media to share her thoughts with her followers, as she explained why she had decided not to accept and why her values don’t align with Gal’s ambassadorship.

“I cannot accept this award from Revlon with Gal Gadot as the ambassador,” Amani wrote in an Instagram. “Her vocal support of the Israeli Defense Forces’ actions in Palestine goes against MuslimGirl.com’s morals and values. I can’t, in good conscience, accept this award from the brand and celebrate Gal’s ambassadorship after the IDF imprisoned a 16-year-old girl named Ahed Tamimi last month, an activist who is currently still incarcerated.”

Khatahtbeh, who grew up in New Jersey as the daughter of Jordanian and Palestinian parents, is best known for starting the online magazine MuslimGirl.com in 2009. She also wrote a book, Muslim Girl: A Coming of Age, which was published in 2016.

“I can’t, in good conscience, accept this award from the brand and celebrate Gal’s ambassadorship after the IDF imprisoned a 16-year-old girl named Ahed Tamimi last month, an activist who is still currently incarcerated,” she wrote on Tuesday. “I think we are in a moment where we must persist that women’s empowerment includes ALL women.”

Tamimi was arrested last month for throwing rocks at and shoving and slapping IDF soldiers. Her detainment – and video of one of the incidents – has turned her into a much-publicized and polarizing figure in the region.

Read the full story @ Teen Vogue and The Jerusalem Post