A brand new poster for the highly-anticipatedMs. Marvelcelebrates Muslim culture by featuring a traditional greeting of Eid Mubarak.Ms. Marvelwelcomes Iman Vellani into the MCU, as she stars as the titular character of the series, Kamala Khan. Kamala is a Pakistani-American teenager who just so happens to have a special affinity and love for superheroes, particularly Captain Marvel.
Before becomingMs. Marvel, she struggles to fit in both at home and at school, which in turn leads her escape in the world of superheroes, where quite literally anything is possible. Kamala never once saw herself as a part of any community, that is until she discovers she too has powers just like the superheroes she admires greatly. Throughout her own journey towards honing her magical forces, she finds not only personal strength but a larger connection to the outsiders of the world - a club in which she quickly finds out she has been a V.I.P. member of all along. The rebellious teen turned out to be the very first Muslim superhero to ever headline their ownMarvel comic book series. Now, Kamala’s legacy will be continued asMs. Marvelmarks the first Muslim character to ever be a lead in an MCU project. Vellani is accompanied on screen by cast members Yasmeen Fletcher as her friend Nakia, Saagar Shaikh as her brother Amir, Zenobia Shroff as her mother Muneeba Khan, and Mohan Kapur as Yusuf Khan, Kamala’s father.
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May 1st was the end of the month-long holiday of Ramadan, a fasting ritual that Muslims across the world participate in, refraining from eating from sun-up to sun-down. Eid al-Fitr, otherwise known as the ‘Holiday of Breaking Fast,’ is the day in which the fast ceases. On that very day, Muslims normally offer the traditional greeting of “Eid Mubarak” as a gesture of gratitude, meaning “blessed feast.” Disney ensured that they released a newMs. Marvelposter right on time in order to honor Eid al-Fitr.
The poster was designed and illustrated by Shehzil Malik, a Pakistani artist whose previous work has been spotlighted on past posters for the series. Disney released the poster to its Twitter with a caption that read, “May this Eid bring strength, love, and light,” along with the traditional greeting of Eid Mubarak.The latestMs Marvelposterdraws specific attention towards the crescent moon and stars that are hovering angelically above Kamala’s hands - well-known symbols of the Islamic religion. Kamala’s right hand is also adorned with traditional Henna, a form of temporary body art that is vastly popular amongst the South Asian community.
Kamala’s Muslim religion and Middle Eastern culture were highly accentuated in theMs. Marvelcomic book series. It’s evident from this new poster alone that her Pakistani roots will be just as important and central to her overall story inMs. Marvelas it was for her in the comics. Kamala will still be seen trying to navigate two vastly different worlds, one of which is her overall desire to stay connected to her culture’s traditions, which simultaneously pleases her parents’ wishes. The other is one in which she craves liberation and autonomy from her own background, to sometimes just be able to blend in when wanted or needed. Although not many plot details have been released thus far,Ms. Marvelwill without a doubt offer an intimate glimpse into the life and struggles of a Muslim American teenager.
