Lululemon In Hot Water Over Alleged Bias Against Muslim Marathoner: Report

Arab-American marathoner Amena Saad recently voiced concerns about being cropped out of a Lululemon Athletica Inc. LULU advertising campaign. 

Saad, who participated in a photo shoot for the New York City Marathon, discovered her images were omitted from the final campaign, according to a news report by The New York Times that was published on Thursday. 

She said she suspects the exclusion was due to her Muslim identity and support for the Palestinians during the Israel-Gaza conflict, the report added.

The Incident

Saad, a hijab-wearing runner, was featured in a campaign by Lululemon's noname marathon training program. 

After noticing her absence from all of the shared images, Saad speculated that her visible Muslim identity may have been perceived as a liability by Lululemon amid the heightened tensions in Gaza and rising anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiment in the U.S.

Lululemon's Response

Responding to the allegations, Lululemon clarified that the exclusion was unintentional, citing misinformation about Saad's willingness to be featured in the photos. 

The company reached out to Saad to apologize for the oversight, reiterating its commitment to inclusivity and diversity. 

"We received incorrect information that Ms. Saad did not want to be included in the photos, and we have since reached out to her directly to apologize for our mistake," Lululemon said in a statement to The New York Times. 

"Lululemon is committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment, and we will continue to work to improve and advance our efforts going forward."

Despite this, Saad felt that the explanation lacked conviction and transparency.

Wider Implications And Reactions

This incident has sparked broader discussions about representation and inclusivity in marketing. 

Noor Abukaram, another runner who faced discrimination for wearing a hijab, criticized Lululemon's decision, emphasizing the importance of integrity in representation, especially in sports. 

The situation reflects ongoing challenges faced by Muslim and Arab individuals in various spheres, including athletics and media, the report added.

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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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