Pony wearing a hijab?

[Anonymous Old User Who Has Left 599]

So I've been thinking lately about how MLP reaches out to a very wide audience (Indonesia and Malaysia made up the bulk of Hasbro's net revenue in the last two years from the MLP franchise), and wondered:

 

If a pony wore a hijab (headscarf) on the show, either as a main character for an episode or just a background character (like Derpy), how would the fandom and the world react? Would they be fine with such a cultural or religious reference? 

 

We've already seen two characters from Saddle Arabia, and both wore traditional Arab bedouin apparel. In Saudi Arabia and throughout desert countries, many women wear the hijab along with their traditional garments, so it makes somewhat sense. Besides, we've been promised more locations and adventure for seasons 7 and 8. 

 

No mean or racism comments please, my finger's hovering over the "report user" button you know...

 

[Spartan 433]

They shouldn't add any religious items to the show. Keep religion out of it, unless they intend to add in other faiths as well.I think the closest you're going to get is Saddle Arabia.

 

Plus, shouldn't they be praising Celestia and Luna?

[ManaMinori 4,145]

They shouldn't add any religious items to the show. Keep religion out of it, unless they intend to add in other faiths as well.I think the closest you're going to get is Saddle Arabia.

 

Plus, shouldn't they be praising Celestia and Luna?

so you want religious items left out, but it's fine for ponies to praise Sunbutt and Pollbreaker like they're gods (which they clearly are NOT)?

[Nightshroud 331]

I agree religion needs to be kept out of stuff like mlp  but remember religion is a touchy subject therefore if done the "wrong" way backlash tons and tons of backlash

Edited March 24, 2017 by Nightshroud

[Violet_S 785]

I dont think we should include anything realigion-related to the show.. it brings out discussions that most people wouldnt find appealing >.< best to keep it neutral 

[Jeric 46,851]

Since we know IRL religions don't exist in Equestria, I wouldn't have an issue with a hijab.

 

A burqa is a different story as it eliminates too many elements of conveying personality, expression, and emotion in animation - limiting the animators and putting too much emphasis on dialog which can have to result of having to rely on exposition (if we are to assume the character has a plot centric role). Not impossible, but I'm not sure they are up to the challenge.

[Nightshroud 331]

I dont think we should include anything realigion-related to the show.. it brings out discussions that most people wouldnt find appealing >.< best to keep it neutral 

that's what ive been trying to get across here

[Twilight-Shimmer 151]

I Personally DO see Celestia and Luna as that worlds Deity's, as A: they are Immortal, and B: One raises the Sun the other the Moon, imo that equates to Deity  Cadance too is immortal and her  realm of influence is Love

[Goat-kun 2,527]

You can give hijab-like clothing to some mad cult of an Outer God or modify burka to protective attire of sand pirates. Then again, why not just use ninjas as a more neutral inspiration.

 

Personally, I'd rather use old Persian culture as the foundation for Saddle Arabia even though it's a bit on the haram side from the Saudi perspective.

 

P.S: Muslims are not a race.

[Nightshroud 331]

You can give hijab-like clothing to some mad cult of an Outer God or modify burka to protective attire of sand pirates. Then again, why not just use ninjas as a more neutral inspiration.

 

Personally, I'd rather use old Persian culture as the foundation for Saddle Arabia even though it's a bit on the haram side from the Saudi perspective.

 

P.S: Muslims are not a race.

that's the most sane thing ive heard all week thank you how much are you wiling to bet these sjws would cry and beg for this change then once Hasbro gives in they turn around and scream racism and islamophobia  theres no pleasing those hpyocrites

Edited March 24, 2017 by Nightshroud

[Malcontent 196]

As enlightened as we the mlp fandom are I don't think the rest of the world is ready for this given the politically charged enviroment we live in in America atm. 

[cmarston1 5,959]

Given the current state of affairs, I don't think things would go over well.

[Nightshroud 331]

As enlightened as we the mlp fandom are I don't think the rest of the world is ready for this given the politically charged enviroment we live in in America atm. 

its like the autistic muppet thing we wouldn't be ready for reglious items in mlp such as hijabs crosses prayer beads so on so forth remember religion like autism is a touchy subject if done poorly Hasbro will receive backlash but at this time I really don't think we are ready for anything like this in mlp  now religion is a bit touchier then autism all though in the worlds current state people mainly sjws would lose their shit if this subject were to be hanldled in anyway

Edited March 24, 2017 by Nightshroud

[Malcontent 196]

its like the autistic muppet thing we wouldn't be ready for reglious items in mlp such as hijabs crosses prayer beads so on so forth remember religion like autism is a touchy subject if done poorly Hasbro will receive backlash but at this time I really don't think we are ready for anything like this in mlp  

 

 

Sad but true. 

 

One day we might be ready. But not now. 

[Daring_Do 552]

I Personally DO see Celestia and Luna as that worlds Deity's, as A: they are Immortal, and B: One raises the Sun the other the Moon, imo that equates to Deity  Cadance too is immortal and her  realm of influence is Love

We know from Hearth's Warming Eve that regular old unicorns used to raise the sun and moon. It's also unclear if Cadance is actually immortal; Meghan McCarthy did say Twilight wouldn't outlive her friends, and many fans have interpreted this to mean that Cadance and Twilight aren't immortal. (Remember, we did see "teen Cadance" in Twilight's flashbacks in A Canterlot Wedding. She has visibly aged.)

 

 

I forgot to note - more on topic - that Mr. Waddle wears a clerical collar in the funeral scene in the CMC's song montage - the "dog collar" used by ministers of certain Christian denominations (typically Roman Catholic or Mainline Protestant denominations). He wears the same collar in at least two of his comic appearances - Waddle might be the local vicar or something of the sort. Also fits well with the old-timey Rockwellian feel of Ponyville. In those days Mainline Protestant denominations (the sort to wear the collar) were more prevalent than evangelical ones...

 

Also something interesting that may or may not add to the discussion - An article on the hijab from Double Bind Magazine, a publication that "features predominantly female writers from a Muslim background".

 

http://doublebindmagazine.com/the-truth-about-wearing-hijab

Edited March 24, 2017 by Daring_Do

[Unlikeable Pony 2,698]

so you want religious items left out, but it's fine for ponies to praise Sunbutt and Pollbreaker like they're gods (which they clearly are NOT)?

 

Let me put it in this context: I am fine with Transformers saying "thank primus!" or "By the matrix!"

I don't want them saying "Praise jesus!" or "Thank allah!"

 

 

fictional religious implications are world building, real world religions are needless bogging down of the world.

[Daring_Do 552]

Let me put it in this context: I am fine with Transformers saying "thank primus!" or "By the matrix!"

I don't want them saying "Praise jesus!" or "Thank allah!"

 

 

fictional religious implications are world building, real world religions are needless bogging down of the world.

I'm not even sure what Nightmare Muffin means by praising them like gods. All they really do is say "Celestia" instead of "God" in common expressions - but if we take expanded universe as canon, the griffons use King Grover's name in those same expressions. It can be read as them using the monarch's name *because they have no gods*.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

We Bare Bears have depicted female background characters wearing a Hijab. Including one right in the opening sequence. I don't see a problem if a pony wears one. Especially if Rarity comments on the lovely fabric or something.

 

[Nightshroud 331]

We Bare Bears have depicted female background characters wearing a Hijab. Including one right in the opening sequence. I don't see a problem if a pony wears one. Especially if Rarity comments on the lovely fabric or something.

 

remember we bare bears is based in our world and can handle mature themes well like Steven universe and Arthur can mlp on the other hand should stay away from touchy subjects like religion

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

remember we bare bears is based in our world and can handle mature themes well like Steven universe and Arthur can mlp on the other hand should stay away from touchy subjects like religion

Just showing a Hijab doesn't mean they have to delve into religion.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,465]

I suppose a casual showing of it wouldn't really hurt anything, as long as it wouldn't be forced. I mostly would prefer any kind of religious thing and MLP have a huge separation though, so it really depends.

[Gestum 2,493]

Personally, I belive that religion and MLP should not mix.

 

Also considering that no other references to religion has been made it would feel really out of place.

[Olsen1987 133]

nope, religion should be kept far away.
no need to mix bad things with good.
as for clothes...well, it's just clothes, not much of a problem.
unless it's one of those things completely covering the characters.

[Anonymous Old User Who Has Left 599]

Just showing a Hijab doesn't mean they have to delve into religion.

 

 

Well spoken mate. My God, I had no idea this random thought of mine would delve into such a river of replies and perspectives! Seems like most of you are against such a scene occurring, which is totally acceptable. 

Edited March 25, 2017 by Shabb3r

[snowflame 189]

It would be terrible. Not only should not real world religions be added in that kind of manner ponies do not wear clothes usually anyway. We need to remember the reason such garments are used and if one would appear in Equestria it would suddenly imply that there is a section of populace that has issue with naked ponies (especially mares) and no matter what reason they would have for the objection it would make thinking about naked ponies again more awkward.

 

Cloaks are fine but that is different garment for a different purpose (to shield you from weather or conceal your identity).