This document discusses the participation of Muslim women in sports while wearing hijab. It provides historical examples from the time of Prophet Muhammad showing that Islam does not restrict women from physical activity or sports. While some argue hijab is oppressive, the document explains that hijab allows many Muslim female athletes to feel comfortable competing in accordance with their faith and modesty values. It discusses the debate around hijab in sports and how some governing bodies have restricted it for purported safety concerns, though hijab wearers argue the attire makes them feel more at ease competing. The document also provides information on sports hijab manufacturers.

1. Hijab in Sports

2. Can Muslim women play
sports?
• There have been detailed occurrences that
proved women had been physically active
throughout the history of Islam, especially
during the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
There were many such instances, for example,
where Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) would have
races with his wife ‘Aisha while they travelled;
she had won some of these races against her
husband. Then there was Safiyyah, Prophet
Muhammad’s aunt, who actively participated in
the battlefield with other soldiers.

3. • These women’s physical and mental
agility, prowess and endurance
demonstrated that they must have
routinely exercised or trained. Their
participation in physically-demanding
activities proved that Islam has never
placed any restrictions against women
from doing sports; on the contrary, it
shows that Islam places strong emphasis
towards the importance of healthy body
and mind.

4. • While the accomplishments of female
Muslim Olympians like Majlinda Kelmendi,
Sri Wahyuni Agustiani and Ibtihaj
Muhammad have been astounding, they
are hardly the first few Muslim women
competing in the Olympics. In the 1984
Summer Olympic Games, Nawal El
Moutawakel became the first Muslim and
African female Olympic champion when
she medalled gold in the inaugural
women’s 400m hurdles event.

5. • For the longest time, the participation of
women has been overlooked - this is
especially true for those who are from
paternalistic cultures, which often have
rigid definitions of masculinity and
femininity. This existing social construct
views sport as the last option when it
comes to interests and a possible career
that should be pursued by women and
girls.

6. Female athletes in hijab - what’s
the big deal?
• Among the many female Muslims competed
at this year’s Summer Olympic Games, hijab-
wearing women received the most media
attention. While their accomplishments have
been highlighted and applauded, the media
loves focusing on the fact that these athletes
chose to compete in the hijab; many have
been positive but there is a small community
who still thinks that the hijab and full Islamic
sportswear are symbols of oppression.

7. • While there are no restrictions towards
women’s participation in sport, there is a
guideline that needs to be observed in
order to create a balance between
women’s involvement in sports and the
importance of keeping their modesty.

8. • In the debate between hijab vs. non-hijab
sporting attire, many people fail to see the
“big deal”. Sportswear matters because it
improves the experience of the athlete.
Therefore, when their choice of
competitive attire has a direct impact on
their ability to compete, many Muslim
women often fall into a dilemma: should
she leave her hijab behind to pursue her
career in sport or should she abandon her
passion for pleasing her Creator?

9. • The issue of the hijab has long been
debated by many governing sports bodies.
For example, a ban on religious head
coverings, the hijab included, have long
been practised by the Internationale de
Football Association (FIFA) and the
International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
It was not until 2014 that FIFA lifted this
ban; the same cannot be said for FIBA,
which continues to bad the hijab and other
religious accessories.

10. • While the main justification for these
restrictions is often ‘safety concerns’, it is
not a convincing argument. Many female
Muslim athletes have been wearing the
hijab as part of the sporting uniform long
before they decide to go pro. For them,
these “restrictive” attire makes them more
comfortable competing in front of many
audiences---competing is stressful enough
without the worry about a possible
embarrassing wardrobe malfunction.

11. Sports Hijabs
• Nashata Middle East is represented by M
F A R General Trading, based in Dubai,
UAE (CR 206077).
• P.O Box 16228,
• Office No. M-31, New Al Safiyah Building
• Near Abu Hail Metro Station, Abu Hail
• Dubai, UAE