One particularly trailblazing feature was the first ever Muslim, hijab-wearing Spider-Woman. The new character, Malala Windsor (Spider-UK), only graces the screen for a few lines, but her presence did not go amiss amongst greatly appreciative fans. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The voice actress, Sofia Barclay (who appeared in Nida Manzoor\u2019s Muslim show We Are Lady Parts<\/a>) shared her thoughts on her character, saying: \u201cI think she\u2019s quirky and cheeky, her look celebrates the traditional hijab style, but with typical Spidey-characteristics!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When asked about the character\u2019s more famous name-sake, the Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, Sofia said: \u201cWho better to model a superhero after than a real-life superhero? A woman famous in real life for her integrity and bravery when faced with dangerous odds: yes please!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Kris Anka, the character and costume designer on Across the Spider-Verse<\/a>, explained that he was asked by the directors and producers to make Spider-UK a Muslim woman with a hijab. The design itself was two months in the making and he started planning it two years ago.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Kris did extensive research into how different women wear hijabs, reaching out to his hijabi friends and studying the movement of headscarves in sports.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI ended up taking a lot of inspiration from runners and swimmers and used that to help define her overall body type, but also the construction of her suit,\u201d he said. \u201cWe wanted her to feel practical but based on authenticity.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Kris explained how \u201cthe big phrase with the movie is that \u2018anyone can wear the mask\u2019, but it\u2019s equally as important for us making the film that we back that up\u2026We want everyone to believe they can be the hero.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Marvel and Sony have been making strides to include Muslim characters lately, with the Spider-Man universe at the forefront. The first hijabi Muslim character to grace the MCU was in Spider-Man: Far from Home<\/a>, where British-Pakistani actress <\/span>Zoha Rahman played one of Peter Parker\u2019s classmates<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Equally, in Insomniac\u2019s Spider-Man PS4 game, <\/span>a background hijabi character<\/span> refuses Spider-Man\u2019s handshake and hug due to religious principles, but expresses her admiration as a fan.<\/span><\/p>\n![\""Malala\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/06\/across-the-spider-verse-malala-spider-uk-concept-art-af34b0b.jpeg?quality=90&resize=620%2C330"\" "\\"\"across\\"")
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