Dust is the codename of Sooraya Qadir, a mutant with the ability to turn herself into sand-like substance, and control herself as a living dust storm. The character was introduced in New X-Men #133, published in 2002. The character was created by Grant Morrison and Ethan Van Sciver, the writer and artist of that issue, but she was only a minor character. Her character began to be developed substantially when she was featured regularly in New X-Men: Academy X, written by Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir.

Since the creation of the character, Dust has always been portrayed as a devout Sunni Muslim from Afghanistan. As a voluntary part of her faith, she always wears a burqa when in public.