- “My whole life I've either been too white for some people or too ethnic for others. And it's been this very uncomfortable, sucky, in-between. So, when I first put this on, I was hoping to shut some people up, but I kinda realized I don't really need to prove anything to anybody. Like, when I put this on, I feel like me. Like, I have a purpose.”
- ―Nakia Bahadir to Kamala Khan[src]
Nakia Bahadir is a Marvel Comics character who appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She made her debut in the first episode of the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel and is portrayed by starring cast member, Yasmeen Fletcher.
Nakia is the best friend of Kamala Khan, and the two attend the same school and mosque together. After becoming unhappy with the conditions of the women's section of the mosque, she begins a campaign, in a bid to be elected for the board, so she can make a change.
Nakia Bahadir was created by writer, G. Willow Wilson and artist, Adrian Alphona.
Appearances[]
Marvel Cinematic Universe[]
Ms. Marvel[]
Nakia meets up with Bruno and Kamala at school. She earns ten dollars, after betting against Bruno, that Kamala would fail her driving test, and she quickly apologizes as he hands her the money, insisting she loves Kamala. The three walk together down the hallway, and Bruno asks whether she has any plans for the weekend, but Nakia expresses how she'll be busy, if she's being invited over, to play Super Smash Bros, as she hates the game. While walking up the stairs, Kamala bumps into Zoe. After a quick and awkward exchange between the pair, Kamala wonders if they should ask Zoe to drive them to AvengerCon, as her mother used to drive them from school. Nakia quickly dismisses the idea, citing her declining behavior, resulted by her growing social media following. As the three continue walking, Kamala is called by Mr. Wilson, through the school intercom, and Nakia and Bruno tease that she is in trouble.[1]
During a game of volleyball, Zoe smacks the ball in Kamala's face; Nakia accuses her of doing it on purpose, but Zoe denies it. She later hands Kamala an ice pack for her nose, in the locker room.[1]
At school, Nakia joins Bruno and Kamala, who are walking down the hallways, and learns that Zoe has gained a large following online, after she was rescued by a superhero at AvengerCon. She criticizes Zoe, for her self-centered attitude, and sits down with her friends, as they overhear Zoe deciding to throw a house party. They initially refuse to go, but after the new senior, Kamran confirms he will be attending, they change their minds.[2]
Later on, Nakia and Kamala sprint to the mosque, after running late, and quickly put their shoes in the rack, so they can perform ablution, and join the others. Nakia finds that her tap isn't working, and is forced to share with Kamala, when a tile falls, by their feet. They enter the women's section, and after they finish praying, Nakia comments on the disparity between the way that the men and women's mosque section is maintained. When Sheikh Abdullah reminds those in attendance that nominations for the Mosque Board are open, Kamala suggests she join the campaign. Upon returning to collect their shoes, Nakia finds that hers have been stolen. Nakia is uncertain whether she should run for the Mosque Board, but Kamala convinces her to run, so Nakia decides that Kamala will be her campaign manager.[2]
On Friday night, Nakia attends Zoe's party, and runs into Miguel, who keeps following her around. Kamala arrives with Bruno, and she informs her friend that Miguel keeps hovering. When Kamala is tricked into drinking alcohol, Nakia is ready to leave the party, but Miguel encourages them to stay. At that moment, they see an individual standing atop of a roof and flip into the pool. He climbs out, and it's revealed to be the new senior, Kamran, who walks over into Nakia and Kamala's direction, to retrieve his shirt. The girls become smitten with him, and introduce themselves. At that moment, the incoming sound of sirens arrive, and the partygoers become alerted to the arrival of the police. Kamran offers to drive a few of them, and Nakia joins him alongside Kamala, Bruno, Paul and Miguel. Nakia sits in the back seat, while Kamala sits in the front, next to Kamran. When he offers to give Kamala the chance to drive, Bruno comments that she failed her test, causing Nakia to slap him. She smiles to herself, as she watches Kamran and Kamala bond over mutual interests, and when they're dropped off at Circle Q, she watches on, as Kamran gives Kamala his phone number for future driving lessons.[2]
After their class ends, Nakia vents about the topic of the subject of the topic they're being taught, when Kamala rushes to the bathroom. She goes after her, and offers a tampon, assuming Kamala's facing issues with her menstruation. Kamala declines the offer, and Nakia notes the strange behavior her friend has displayed, over the past few days. When Kamala does come out, she talks about how she she feels overwhelmed with the various changes she's been going through. Nakira relates, referencing her parents awkwardness after she began wearing a hijab and started developing. Kamala asks how Nakia makes it look so easy, and she admits that it isn't, but began to feel empowered and found a purpose, after wearing her hijab. The two girls express their love for each other, and Nakia hands Kamala a new top and earrings for her upcoming driving lesson with Kamran.[2]
Nakia begins her campaign to secure votes for the election board, at the Eid Al-Adha festival. She begins with Najaf and promises to make him the exclusive catering vendor for all masjid holidays and special events. She meets up with Kamala and Bruno, and hands them fliers, so they can convince the various cliques attending, to vote for her. She herself, heads into Yusuf's direction, and when he informs Nakia that he'd likely be voting for his best friend, Rasheed, Nakia uses the prospects of her future as a woman, and relationship with Kamala to convince him otherwise, comparing herself to his second daughter.[2]
Nightfall arrives, and Nakia and the others in attendance of the Festival, are alerted to the screams of Hameed, who has fallen out of the mosque tower, and holding onto a curtain, attached to the window. She and others watch in horror, as he hangs for his life, when the heroine Night Light arrives. She witnesses Night Light create energy platforms below her feet, to walk towards Hameed, but fears she won't reach him in time. Hameed falls, but Night Light creates a construct mid air, which the pair land on, to Nakia's relief, and the crowd erupt in applause. Before Hameed can safely climb onto the roof, the construct he stands on, shatters. Night Light creates smaller constructs below him, to cushion his fall and lessen the impact, but the young boy injures himself, after crashing on the hood of a car, to Nakia's shock.[2]
During the vote counting, Agent Sadie Deever of the Department of Damage Control and her men, enter the mosque, after getting reports that Night Light was operating from within the building. She orders the men to search the premise, but Nakia intervenes, and introduces herself as a mosque board member, even though she has not yet been elected. She shares that they are not permitted to enter the building without a signed warrant. Deever warms of the seriousness of the matter, and advises Sheikh Abdullah to cooperate, but Nakia questions if their concern is based on the person of interest being enhanced, or because she was spotted in a mosque. The agents leave, and Nakia is officially elected as a member of the Mosque Board.[3]
Nakia enters Kamala's room and slumps on the bed, upset by her recent interactions with Damage Control. Kamala wants to share something with Nakia, but before she can do so, Nakia snaps, and blames the hero Night Light, who is currently displayed on Kamala's monitor. She recounts what happened with the agents to Kamala, annoyed that the hero doesn't seem to care, while they've been placed under target. She also shares that she has been elected as a board member of the mosque and Kamala congratulates her.[3]
The day of Aamir and Tyesha's wedding arrive, and Nakia is among those in attendance. They go to a venue to celebrate, and she, Kamala and Bruno also participate in a dance together. During their celebrations, the fire alarm is triggered, and Nakia is forced to exit the building, along with the other guests. When Damage Control arrive and storm the building, Nakia explores the back, where she finds Kamala exiting with Bruno, who appears to be injured. She witnesses Kamala create a construct to shut the door, and realizes her best friend is Night Light. Nakia is upset that Kamala never told her, but Bruno urges Kamala to leave as the agents are after. Nakia hands Kamala the scarf she dropped, as she makes an exit, and Kamala promises she'll explain everything to her. Nakia questions what just happened, while supporting a limping Bruno, away from building.[3]
Following the revelation, Nakia receives multiple texts from Kamala, asking to speak to her, all of which, Nakia ignores.[4]
Some time passes, and Nakia learns that Bruno's home, Circle Q, was blown up by the DODC. She contacts Aamir, who connects her with Kamala, and explains to her friend that she can't reach Bruno. Nakia eventually manages to make contact with him, and meets him at the local mosque, where he is accompanied by Kamran, who is being sought out, by Damage Control. Nakia explains the mosque is under surveillance, and it's likely unsafe for them to seek refuge there. Before Damage Control can arrive, Nakia calls Miguel, who harbors a crush on her, to serve as a distraction for the DODC, and give time for Bruno and Kamran to escape. Agent Deever returns to interrogate the mosque, but Nakia hinders her efforts.[5]
Nightfall approaches, and Nakia reunites with Bruno and Kamran, in the school, alongside Kamala, who is now sporting a new superhero uniform. Nakia is still upset with her friend for keeping her superhero identity from her, but Kamala apologizes, admitting her mistake, and the two reconcile. Bruno then warns the group that Damage Control has arrived, and is stationed outside the school. Kamala and Kamran warn then others off, but Nakia and Bruno remind the pair that the organization have already targeted them too, having destroyed Circle Q, and raided the mosque twice. Zoe arrives, and reveals that she Damage Control also interrogated her for Night Light’s secret identity. Nakia expresses their collective support, for Kamala, and stands by her.[5]
The group formulate a plan to keep the DODC distracted, long enough until Kamran is safe. While Nakia prepares, she questions why Zoe chose to do divulge Kamala's identity, having already been aware. Zoe replies that Kamala should be ready to tell the world when she feels ready.[5]
When Damage Control charge the building, their plan is set into action. Nakia and the others put on identical red hoodies, to create a distraction, causing the DODC team to split up, as they try to capture all of them, unaware of who their target is. She drives past them on her bicycles, but they blast their sonic weapons in her direction, leaving her to run away on foot. She joins Aamir and Zoe, who have a pitching machine set up in place, to target Damage Control. They momentarily celebrate, under the belief that their plan is working, but another group of agents make their way behind them, and detain the three.[5]
The three are cuffed and escorted into a DODC van, alongside Bruno, watching through the windows, and awaiting for Kamala and Kamran to escape. A blast draws their attention, and they find Kamran surrounded by the full forces of Damage Control. They helplessly watch as the agents begin firing, when Kamala arrives, and creates a barrier between the two parties. A sonic weapon is fired towards them, blasting both Kamala and Kamran back, and Nakia calls out for her friend, who appears to have been injured. Kamala however, manages to recover, and creates a crystalline exoskeleton around herself, before destroying Damage Control's weapon, and Nakia watches in awe. When Kamran's unstable powers release a burst of energy, a form of crystals materialize around his surrounding, and spread, also reaching through the van. Nakia and the others fall as further back as they can, to prevent the ever-spreading crystals, from piercing through them.[5]
Kamala manages to talk down Kamran, and give him a chance to escape, causing his crystals to dissipate. Nakia and the others escape the van, and reach Kamala, before the Damage Control agents can arrest her. Nakia and the others, surround their friend, alongside various members of the community who witnessed her heroics, creating a barricade against the DODC. However, before the agents have any time to capture her, Kamala creates platforms in the air, and escapes from their grasp, causing Nakia, and the rest of the crowd to erupt into applause, as they celebrate her.[5]
Following the events that transpired, the local of New Jersey all take to social media, to rejoice in Night Light. Nakia briefly appears in Zoe’s TikTok, where she admits it was cool to watch.[5]
When Nakia returns to the mosque, she begins her role as an official mosque board member, and cites all the issues that need to be fixed from within the building.[5]
A week passes, and Nakia and Bruno meet up with Kamala, in Kamran’s car, after leaving it, following his escape. Bruno claims Kamran left the vehicle to him, but Nakia disputes this, though he adds, that he’ll look good, driving it, when he leaves for Caltech. Nakia argues the car would serve better in New Jersey, and the trio of friends laugh together. She shares her pride in Bruno and tells him she’ll miss him, and he reminds the girls he’ll only be a 43-hour drive away. While he briefly converses with Kamala, Nakia goes into the driver’s seat, after swiping his keys, and tells the pair to get in for shawarmas.[5]
The Marvels[]
Nakia doesn't appear in the film, but a photograph of her, alongside Bruno, can be seen hung in Kamala's bedroom. Whilst Kamala scrolls through the intel that S.A.B.E.R. have collected on her, Nakia can be seen listed as a friend of hers, indicating the agency is aware of her correspondence with Ms. Marvel. When Kamala travels on a spaceship to the planet Aladna with Captain Marvel and Monica Rambeau, she's filled with a sense of awe, in regards to her current experience, and mentions how Nakia might not believe her.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Nakia Bahadir's casting call name was "Willow", named after G. Willow Wilson, the writer and co-creator of Ms. Marvel.[6]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Generation Why", Ms. Marvel, Season 1, Episode 1. (June 8, 2022). Disney+
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Crushed", Ms. Marvel, Season 1, Episode 2. (June 15, 2022). Disney+
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Destined", Ms. Marvel, Season 1, Episode 3. (June 22, 2022). Disney+
- ↑ "Seeing Red", Ms. Marvel, Season 1, Episode 4. (June 29, 2022). Disney+
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 "No Normal", Ms. Marvel, Season 1, Episode 6. (July 13, 2022). Disney+
- ↑ Lovett, Jamie (July 22, 2020). "Ms. Marvel Production Reportedly Delayed, but Kamala Khan Rumored to Debut Prior to Series" (English). Comic Book.
External Links[]
