Journalist and activist Amani Al-Khatahtbeh said she could not accept Revlon’s trophy due to its partnership with the pro-IDF actress.

As the founder and editor of MuslimGirl, an online magazine targeted towards young, modern women of Islam, Amani Al-Khatahtbeh has definitely been a force of change in the media.

With her work helping to shatter stereotypes about Muslim women and drawing attention to the faith’s message of peace, the young entrepreneur has been lauded by many for her efforts.

Read:
Lindsay Lohan to shoot a female-focused film in Saudi Arabia
Queen Rania stands with Palestine after Trump’s decision on Jerusalem

Among those hoping to honour Al-Khatahtbeh for her advocacy was beauty brand Revlon, who reached out to the US author recently to offer her its Changemaker Award.

However, the activist has declined the title following the makeup giant’s latest collaboration with Gal Gadot.

“We can’t accept role models that support the oppression of women and girls in other parts of the world,” Al-Khatahtbeh said as she revealed the motives behind her decision.

Revlon recently signed up the 33-year-old Israeli actress, who played the lead in last year’s Wonder Woman, to act as the ambassador for its Live Boldly campaign.

Gadot served in the Israel Defence Force for two years, and publicly supported Israel’s bombing of Gaza with an Instagram post in 2014, using the hashtag #loveidf.

“As much as this means to me and I would love to be there to celebrate with you, I cannot accept this award from Revlon with Gal Gadot as the ambassador,” said Al-Khatahtbeh in a statement posted to her social media.

“Her vocal support of the Israeli Defence Forces’ actions in Palestine goes against MuslimGirl.com’s morals and values,” the 26-year-old, who has Jordanian and Palestinian heritage, continued.

This is why I couldn’t accept @revlon’s Changemaker Award celebrating their new #liveboldy campaign featuring @gal_gadot. It means so much to me when @muslimgirl’s work is recognized and elevated in spaces from which we’ve been traditionally excluded. But that’s what makes it even more important at this moment to elevate and stand up for ALL women and girls. This shouldn’t have to be said, but we can’t accept role models that support the oppression of women and girls in other parts of the world. Especially after we just celebrated MLK Jr. and as we approach the one year anniversary of the Women’s March, we all have an URGENT obligation to talk back, speak our truths, and insist on the right side of history. The personal is political — yes, even, and ESPECIALLY, when it comes to beauty — and I don’t know about you, but my feminism is inclusive of ALL women and nothing less. That’s what being a changemaker means to me.

A post shared by Amani (@amani) on

“I can’t, in good conscience, accept this award from the brand and celebrate Gal’s ambassadorship after the IDF imprisoned a 16 year-old girl named Ahed Tamimi last month, an activist who is currently still incarcerated.

“I think we are in a moment where we must persist that women’s empowerment includes all women. From the bottom of my heart, I feel I would not embody the meaning of the Changemaker Award if I were to accept in these circumstances.”

A post shared by Amani (@amani) on

Revlon and Gadot have not yet publicly responded to Al-Khatahtbeh’s statement.

To her 46,000 Instagram followers, Al-Khatahtbeh added that while it meant so much to have her work recognised, it was more important to “elevate and stand up for all women and girls”.

Read:
The royal families of Jordan and Saudi Arabia have met to discuss Jerusalem
MuslimGirl’s founder was forced to remove her hijab in France

“The personal is political — yes, even, and especially, when it comes to beauty — and I don’t know about you, but my feminism is inclusive of all women and nothing less.

“That’s what being a changemaker means to me.”

– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene straight to your newsfeed, follow us on Facebook

Images: Amani Al-Khatahtbeh/Instagram