You Wont Believe The Dolls Barbie Launched For Their 50 Year Anniversary According to recent reports, Barbie just made the controversial decision to release the latest new iconic doll, complete with a burka. The new Barbie is shown wearing traditional Islamic dress with a mesh eyehole, and was displayed at an auction house in Florence, Italy to raise money for Save the Children. The auction was part of celebrations held for Barbies 50th anniversary. The display included a set of multicultural Barbies, including a line of turquoise, lime-green, and orange-colored burkas, as well as hijab. They were dressed by Italian designer Eliana Lorena in a project that was backed by Mattel. Of course, the launch has not gone without controversy. Some fans are defending the decision of the doll-maker, claiming that it gives Islamic children a doll that they can identify with. Other critics, like Barbara Kay from Canada, slammed the doll as a symbol of oppression. I have seen some pretty tawdry advertising campaigns in my time, but I must say this one takes the cake for insensitivity, Kay writes. Whats next in dolls that are important for girls to play with? Illiterate Barbie? Forced-Marriage Barbie? In fact, Kay feels that Burka Barbie is a mockery of disempowered women. What do you think of the new doll? Are you shocked at Mattels decision to support the release? 