■"This Doll Has an Accessory Barbie Lacks: A Prayer Mat," by Katherine Zoepf, New York Times, 22 September 2005, p. A4.

I told my Barbie story a lot when I first gave the big brief in the Building and elsewhere in late 2001 and through 2003. The story got old eventually, even as it was given new life by Saudi Arabia repeating the same ban on Barbie that Iran had implemented earlier (its preferred hijab-clad Sara doll never kept pace on store shelves).

Now, the big craze among young Arab girls in Syria, Egypt and Qatar are the Fulla dolls that look just like Barbie but come with "Muslim values." Same body shape, but dressed with a black abaya and head scarf. Oh, and the prayer rug. Other than the doll's clothes, the bigger line of girl-oriented merchandise favors pink almost exclusively.

Why does this doll finally top Barbie? Advertising like you would associate with your average George Lucas "Star Wars" film: "On the children's satellite channels popular in the Arab world, Fulla advertising is incessant."

Fine and dandy, as are plans to intro Teacher Fulla and Doctor Fulla. Remember, everyone gets content at their own pace. Prayer mats are good, so long as the message is conveyed that careers are possible and good.

And don't worry, Barbie has stared down many a fad in her day . . .