British actress Zoha Rahman will be the first hijabi character to feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, thanks to her role in Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Fans online spotted the stars brief appearance in the films trailers and the discovery sent waves of excitement across social media.
So theres a hijabi at Spidermans homecoming? one fan tweeted.
So I was watching the old Spiderman far from home trailers and BOOM I FOUND A HIJABI IN ONE OF THE TRAILERS, another eagle-eyed fan wrote.
Ive just really stared at this for the first time and. theres a muslim girl! in the mcu! next to mj! in a spiderman movie! a muslim girl with a hijab! representation! i am : f*****g happy, [sic] one delighted fan added.
Thank you Spiderman for giving us the Hijabi representation we both need and deserve, another friendly fan added.
So I was watching the old Spiderman far from home trailers and BOOM I FOUND A HIJABI IN ONE OF THE TRAILERS pic.twitter.com/bInEgeBM8U
— Mohammed. (@_moh_mm_d) May 7, 2019
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The role is understandably a big deal for Zoha who opened up to fans about the opportunity on Instagram.
When I was asked if I was happy to wear a hijab for this role I basically jumped into it, full force, sent selfies in a dupatta as a hijab straight away to the casting director, she wrote.
You see, I was a little brown girl who watched movies and adverts and tv shows and cartoons and billboards but never saw herself.
So this was a private little mission, to see myself where little brown girls didnt belong. And as this grew, I realised how selfish I had been to think I was the only one thinking and feeling and hoping the way I was.
So this ones for all of us little brown girls, all of us little girls, all of us little boys, all of us changing the stories we tell from now on.
Zoha originally studied law before she decided to take 12 months off to follow her dream and pursue acting and modelling full time with the help of BAME Models.
And it looks like Zohas risk has paid off so far seeing as this is only her third film role
This is still the beginning, I have aspirations of doing much more in the industry, she admitted in a statement.
This is Zoha Rahman, she's known as an actress and also a model. She's gonna be in Spider Man: Far From Home. We love you, Zoha. pic.twitter.com/MVyLwdXGCH
— مزبلة (@joyfulholland) January 16, 2019
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With the release of Spider-Man just around the corner, excitement is growing as to the social impact the film will have – not just for fans of comic books but also in terms of diversity in the film industry and for all British Muslims, and Muslims worldwide, who can follow Zoha as a beacon, guiding the way to more opportunities.
Plus theres also the fact Marvel bosses confirmed last year that Muslim superhero Ms Marvel will be joining the MCU.
Kevin Feige revealed his plans to bring the first female Muslim superhero onto screens during an interview with the BBC.
More: Marvel
