Is Ms. Marvel Representing Muslims in a Positive Light?

Ever since MCU introduced its first ever female Muslim and Pakistani Superhero, brown kids from all over the world felt a wave of pride. For the first time were Muslims acknowledged as capable individuals. However, issues arose when people took note of the one sided and biased representation of Muslims by the western media. They were either shown to be bloodthirsty and vengeful tyrants or timid and suppressed individuals. Many Pakistanis were concerned about Ms. Marvel falling into the same old category. However, all misconceptions were set aside as soon as I watched it.

Ms. Marvel does an excellent job in representing Muslims as ordinary yet strong and resilient individuals. The main character, Kamala Khan, is a youthful MCU fan who also happens to be a Pakistani-American teenager. Not only have they showed her to be a practicing Muslim, she is also shown as a headstrong yet laid back teenager willing to get whatever she wants. A person lost in mere fantasies, Kamala aspires to be more. It's quite rare to see a Muslim not being shown as an extremist in western media. Kudos to the team of Ms. Marvel. The actress Iman Velani has magnetic energy and an amazing screen presence.

Ms. Marvel has nailed the portrayal of Pakistani parents who have strived to achieve a decent life in America. From the mother's stern yet spontaneous nature and the father's preachy attitude, Ms. Marvel has succeeded to portray the parents in the best light. However, it would have been better if the mother played by Zenobia Shroff had a less Parsi accent. The Parsi dialect makes her seem more Indian than Pakistani.

I do have a slight problem with the partition narrative. I feel it is really noble for them to portray the hardships and grievances of that era but I think an ''Indianized version'' of the partition was emphasized. Words such as ''devastating'', ''traumatizing'', and ''sorrowful'' are mostly used by the Indians when they talk about partition. Pakistanis mostly stick to words such as ''sacrifices'' and ''passion'' as Muslims worked hard relentlessly to ensure a free land. It was a a ''devastating loss'' for India but for the Muslims partition was nothing but a victory. Maybe, I am delving way too deep in the matter or it can just be my patriotic nature.

What do you think about Ms. Marvel's portrayal? Drop down your thoughts in the comments section below.