‘Sesame Street’ Unveils Hijab-Clad Muppet: ‘Zari’ Is A Feminist From Afghanistan
REUTERS/SESAME WORKSHOP/JOHN E. BARRETT
Sesame Street unveiled a fresh face Thursday: a hijab-wearing Afghani Muppet named Zari who will teach kids about “girl empowerment, social and emotional wellbeing.”
Zari will first appear in season five of Baghch-e-Simsim, which is the Afghan version of
Sesame Street.
The popular children show’s Twitter account was abuzz with Zari content Thursday.
Meet Zari, our new friend from Afghanistan! She's here to teach young kids about girls' empowerment! #BaghcheSimsim pic.twitter.com/itS9kNZieV— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) April 7, 2016
Introducing…Zari! Our new friend in Afghanistan, joining #BaghcheSimSim for #Season5! She's a very special girl! pic.twitter.com/ggI0qpPR78— Sesame Workshop (@SesameWorkshop) April 7, 2016
We're excited to have Zari in the family! She's an incredible role model for kids around the world! #BaghcheSimsim pic.twitter.com/EMcRWiuwlh— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) April 7, 2016
“Sesame Street has done more to educate and entertain than any other children’s program in Afghanistan,”
said
Saad Mohseni, the president of the MOBY group, which airs numerous TV programs for Afghani children. “We are especially delighted about the introduction of Zari to Baghch-e-Simsim, which reflects Sesame’s commitment to the country and the show’s positive impact here.”
Zara will focus on teaching “girls’ empowerment, national identity, physical health and social and emotional wellbeing,” a
Sesame Street press release
said.
Follow Jerome Hudson on Twitter: @jeromeehudson