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Gucci has been accused of cultural appropriation for selling a £600 turban at luxury department store Nordstrom .
The garment, which Gucci refers to as an “Indy Full Turban”, first stoked criticism in February 2018 when it debuted at the Italian fashion house’s autumn/winter show .
Now, after shoppers spotted the product being sold online, the controversy has been ignited once more.
The headpiece, which is now sold out on Nordstrom’s website , was listed as costing $790 (£615) and described as a “gorgeously crafted turban” that will “turn heads while keeping you in comfort as well as trademark style”.
On Twitter, numerous people expressed their concerns over the headpiece, particularly in terms of the brand and its customers not appreciating the turban's deep religious significance.
Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebritiesShow all 72 1 /72Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Elle Fanning Elle Fanning attended the closing ceremony screening of The Specials wearing a bejewelled floor-length gown that featured layers of tulle and a cape.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Winnie Harlow Winnie Harlow attended the amfAR Cannes Gala 2019 wearing a strapless floor-length gown adorned with a colourful metallic leaf print.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Chloe Sevigny Chloe Sevigny wore a black pencil dress that featured pink balloon sleeves, pointed heels and printed tights.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Elsa Hosk Victoria's Secret model Elsa Hosk opted for a floor length strapless dress adorned in vibrant purple feathers.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Milla Jovovich Milla Jovovich attended the screening of Sibyl wearing a sequinned off-the-shoulder dress and metallic waist belt.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Jennifer Flavin and Sistine Rose Stallone Jennifer Flavin and Sistine Rose Stallone attended the screening of Rambo First Blood wearing matching metallic dresses.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Marina Fois Actor Marina Fois attended the event wearing a hot pink and black mini dress with strappy heels.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Nadine Labaki Actor Nadine Labaki wore a red one-shouldered dress with a matching waist belt.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Nina Belo Model Nina Belo attended the screening on Rambo First Blood wearing a pink sequinned dress with off-the-shoulder detailing.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Winnie Harlow The model appeared at the premiere of Oh Mercy wearing a sheer, full length, green and black embellished gown by Ralph & Russo.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Nusret Gökçe The chef, more commonly known as 'Salt Bae', attended the screening of The Traitor dressed to the nines in a white shirt, black bow tie, gold chain, black trousers and red loafers.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Catherine Deneuve Actor Catherine Deneuve attended the screening of The Specials wearing an emerald green sequinned gown with floaty sleeves.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Jasmine Tookes The model stunned on the red carpet for The Traitor in a periwinkle blue, sequinned gown by Lebanese fashion designer Zuhair Murad. Tookes revealed on Instagram that she did her own makeup for the event.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Marta Lozano Social media influencer Marta Lozano had a Cinderella moment on the red carpet before attending a screening of The Traitor , dressed in a white, ruffled ballgown by Yolancris and a diamond necklace by Messika Paris.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Marion Cotillard For the Matthias Et Maxime screening, Cotillard paired a black crop top with matching shorts and leather peep-toe heels. Giving the whole look a splash of eccentricity, the French actor also wore a floor-length cardigan that had distressed detail and wide sleeves.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Lea Seydoux The French actor wore a pair of high-waisted sapphire trousers with a patterned body to the screening of Oh Mercy! on Wednesday evening.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Quentin Tarantino and Margot Robbie The Once Upon A Time In Hollywood director arrived alongside Robbie for screening of his latest film, pairing his tux with his signature dark sunglasses. Robbie, meanwhile, opted for a girlish strapless mini dress by Chanel that bore a floral pin.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Michelle Rodriguez The American actor opted for a textured white ballgown for the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood screening.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio The two stars of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood arrived in matching bow ties and tuxedos for the screening of their highly-anticipated upcoming film.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Dakota Fanning The American actor opted for a stiff satin gown for the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood screening.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Winnie Harlow The American model wore a billowing off-the-shoulder scarlet gown for the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood screening.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Elle Fanning Elle Fanning struck a dramatic pose on the red carpet for the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood screening. Clad head-to-toe in a classic Dior look, Fanning wore an oversized black sun hat and a white blouse with billowing sleeves.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Tilda Swinton and Honor Swinton Byrne Swinton arrived alongside her daughter for the Parasite screening wearing a cream silk suit. Honor opted for a black midi strapless dress.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Isabelle Huppert The French actor arrived at the Frankie screening in head-to-toe silver shimmer in this floor-length iridescent gown.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Elsa Hosk The Victoria's Secret model stepped out in this pastel masterpiece by Etro for the screening of A Hidden Life on Sunday.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Toni Garrn The 26-year-old model arrived at the screening of A Hidden Life in a structured silk gown with a thigh-high slit.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Martha Hunt The Victoria Secret's model wore a gold one-shouldered dress for the Cannes red carpet.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Iskra Lawrence The model wore a red sparkly gown with thigh-high slits to attend the screening of "Les Plus Belles Annees D'Une Vie".
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas attend the screening of "Les Plus Belles Annees D'Une Vie" in matching white outfits.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Dame Helen Mirren The English actress and face of L'Oreal debuted pink hair on the red carpet, dressed in a gold shimmering Elie Saab Couture gown.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Ming Xi Ming Xi wore a ruffled and tiered sky blue gown on the red carpet complete with strappy black heeled sandals.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Dame Helen Mirren Dame Helen Mirren wore an off the shoulder gold Elie Saab Couture gown to attend the screening of Les Plus Belles Annees D'Une Vie .
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Jari Jones Jari Jones wore a billowing red Cisum Couture gown on the red carpet, and finished the look with red lipstick and a matching red glove.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Priyanka Chopra The actress wore a stunning white tulle gown by Georges Hobeika on the red carpet, arriving with her husband Nick Jonas. Chopra accessorised the look with a diamond choker.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Bella Hadid The American model is swiftly becoming renowned for her showstopping Cannes ensembles, and this scarlet off-the-shoulder gown by Roberto Cavalli is no different. With ruched cutout detail and a thigh-high slit, Hadid's look for the Pain and Glory screening offers a contemporary twist on the Grecian goddess aesthetic.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Penelope Cruz The Spanish actor arrived at thecreening in a voluminous lace ball gown by Chanel that was custom-made and featured intricate floral embroidery.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Amber Heard It's not everyday that you see thigh-high leather boots gracing the red carpet at Cannes, but if anyone can pull it off it's certainly Heard, whose statement burgundy pair perfectly matched the deep berry hue of her sculptural gown.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Bella Hadid Supermodel Bella Hadid attended the screening of Rocketman wearing a white Christian Dior Couture gown that featured layers of tiered tulle.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Priyanka Chopra Priyanka Chopra made her Cannes debut at the Rocketman screening wearing a black gown adorned with red sequins and Chopard jewellery.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Julianne Moore Actor Julianne Moore opted for a sequinned silver dress paired with a salmon pink floor-length cape.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Eva Longoria Actor Eva Longoria wore a bejewelled white jumpsuit which was covered in silver sequins.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Eva Herzigova Eva Herzigova attended the Rocketman screening wearing a colourful sequinned playsuit, sparkly tights and black ankle boots.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Shailene Woodley Actor Shailene Woodley opted for a Christian Dior Haute Couture tuxedo dress that featured white lapels and a thigh-high split.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Praya Lundberg Praya Lundberg wore a red version of Elizabeth Hurley's iconic Versace gown to the screening of Rocketman .
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Taylor Hill Victoria's Secret model Taylor Hill attended the Rocketman after party wearing a sheer white dress adorned with floral embellishments.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Dita Von Teese Dita Von Teese wore a floor-length black gown that featured layers of fishnet tulle. She finished the look with stiletto heels and a bejewelled choker.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Selena Gomez Gomez wore a dusky pink two-piece by Louis Vuitton with Bulgari jewels.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Elle Fanning The 21-year-old actor arrived with Polish director and member of the jury of the Cannes Film Festival, Pawel Pawlikowski. She wore a draping silk peach gown by Gucci.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Tilda Swinton Channeling her inner cyborg, Swinton arrived wearing a floor-length silver chain mail-style gown by Haider Ackermann.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Chloë Sevigny The American actor wore a black custom Mugler gown for the event that boasted a cream bustier and gloves.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Julianne Moore and Caroline Scheufele Moore opted for a vivid green gown by Dior while Scheufele, president of Chopard, opted for a sheer plunging black number.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Eva Longoria The actor wore a structured rose-coloured gown that boasted a thigh-high slit and a sparkling two-tone bodice.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Charlotte Gainsbourg The French actor and singer stuck to her Saint Laurent guns in this off-the-shoulder zebra print dress, which she paired with sheer tights and black stilettos.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Gong Li The Chinese actor, who is set to be honoured at the festival with the Women in Motion prize, wore an intricate lace pale green gown.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Caroline de Maigret The French model looked statuesque in this black and gold Chanel fishtail frock.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Romee Strijd The 23-year-old model wore a decadent doily-like gown with a central slit for the occasion.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Barbara Meier German Model elegantly wore this Ziad Nakad dress on the red carpet.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Carla Bruni Supermodel Carla Bruni opted for a silky one-shouldered gown in navy blue designed by Celine.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Alessandra Ambrosio Supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio opted for a halter neck red dress that featured a thigh high split and long train. She finished the look with a pair of gold Giuseppe Zanotti heels.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Elle Fanning Actor Elle Fanning wore a Valentino haute couture garden-inspired dress and her hair in a wraparound milkmaid braid.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Araya Hargate Wearing an Ralph and Russo purple gown, Ms Hargate proved that ombre colours are making a comeback.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Amber Heard Actor Amber Heard opted for a sequinned floor-length gown designed by Louis Vuitton that was cinched at the waist with a wide tan belt.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Selena Gomez Sporting a blue Chanel outfit with Messika earrings, Ms Gomez oozes sophistication.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Chloe Sevigny The American Actress arrived in a Loewe white laced dress styled under an all black gown, paired with a classic red lip.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Julianne Moore Julianne Moore attended the screening of Les Miserables wearing an embellished leather cape over a classic black dress.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Nadine Labaki - President of the UN Certain Regard Jury The star attended her first Cannes Film Festival wearing a black mesh-inspired dress.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Jing Tian Actor Jing Tian wore a floor-length cream gown to the screening of Les Miserables .
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Estelle Lefebure The model wore a stunning black velvet dress with beautiful white shard-like detailing at the top of this Yanina Couture piece.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Chris Lee Singer Chris Lee wearing a trouser-suit adorned with feather-like embellishment and white gloves.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Thassia Naves Global influencer Thassia Naves attended the screening of Les Miserables wearing a pleated red and purple gown by Ralph & Russo.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Isis Valverde Actor Isis Valverde wore a white floor-length dress by Azzaro and a sparkly ear-piece by Messika Jewellery.
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Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best-dressed celebrities Hina Khan Actor Hina Khan attended the screening of Bacurau wearing a silver floor-length gown that featured structured shoulders.
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Also known as a dastaar, the turban is a headpiece worn by the Sikh community (but may be used by other groups) as an article of faith and carries an immense spiritual and temporal significance.
Traditionally in Sikhism, a turban is worn by both men and women as a symbol of piety, honour and spirituality.
It is because of this that many critics called out both Gucci and Nordstrom for using the religious article to “fill their pockets”.
“Dear @gucci, the Sikh Turban is not a hot new accessory for white models but an article of faith for practising Sikhs,” one person wrote on Twitter.
Another person added: “ “The turban for #Sikh is a matter of faith and not another decorative piece.
“RESPECT Religious sentiments while thinking of filling your pockets.”
The New York -based Sikh Coalition also condemned the high-fashion brand on Twitter, writing: “The Sikh turban is not just a fashion accessory, but it’s also a sacred religious article of faith.
“We hope more can be done to recognise this critical context.”
Others pointed out that the product was particularly offensive because Sikhs often face criticism and even violence for wearing a turban in western spaces.
“Hey @Nordstrom and @gucci: this is inappropriate! The turban is a Sikh article of faith, not a cute fashion accessory,” one person wrote on Twitter.
“Considering the amount of discrimination turban-wearing Sikhs regularly undergo, please reconsider selling this product.
Another person agreed, adding: “This is beyond aggravating. Did someone at @gucci even bother to figure out what a dastaar (turban) means to Sikhs? Did it cross your minds to consider the history behind our identity?
“My people are discriminated against, even killed, for wearing a turban.”
In February 2018, just days after the brand was first criticised for showing traditional Sikh turbans on its runway, a Sikh man had his turban ripped from his head in a racist attack while he was queueing outside Parliament in London.
This isn’t the first time Gucci has been embroiled in controversy.
In February, the brand was criticised after shoppers complained its $890 (£688) “balaclava jumper”, which features a cut-out at the mouth and red lips, resembled blackface .
“Haute Couture Blackface for the millennials???” one person wrote on Twitter.
Another added: “THIIIIIIIS is blackface guys. THIS. huge overdramatic red lips and a literal BLACK face. This is DISGUSTING. I don’t wanna see any of you with Gucci belts and slides after this.”
As a result of the backlash, Gucci issued a public apology “for the offence” caused and removed the item from its stores and website.
“We can confirm that the item has been immediately removed from our online store and all physical stores,” the company said in a statement.
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“We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected, and at the forefront of every decision we make.
“We are fully committed to increasing diversity throughout our organisation and turning this incident into a powerful learning moment for the Gucci team and beyond."
The Independent has contacted Gucci and Nordstrom for comment.
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