15 Comic Book 'Firsts' You Didn't Know
5. Arabian Knight - First Muslim Superhero
When Kamala Khan became Ms. Marvel in 2013, she was repeatedly referred to as the first Muslim superhero. This isn't true, but Khan is the first Muslim superhero to headline her own comic series.
Abdul Qamar debuted as the first Muslim superhero, the Arabian Knight, 32 years earlier in Incredible Hulk #257. Qamar was a Bedouin prince whose ancestor was killed by the Biblical demons Gog and Magog. When he and Bruce Banner discovered the creatures in an underground cavern, Gog and Magog caused a cave-in.
Fleeing for his life, Qamar found his ancestor's enchanted scimitar, magic carpet, and shapeshifting belt-sash. In that moment, Qamar decided to continue his ancestor's legacy of battling evil and became the superhero, the Arabian Knight.
In later years, readers viewed the Arabian Knight more and more as a visual stereotype. Marvel writers felt it was in their best interest to have the character killed off and replaced with a less-stereotypical looking Arabian Knight called Navid Hashim. Although Hashim's outfit looks like an ordinary military uniform, it's made of the same shapeshifting sash as the original Arabian Knight and he can use it to create weapons or armour.