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Alexander Litchford
Professor Nichter
ENGL-130-B04
12/8/2020

Hijab in Sports

Ibtihaj Muhammad was the first Muslim women athlete that competed in the 2016 summer Rio
Olympics. She was on the Saber team for the United States Olympics team. Ibtihaj struggled as an
outsider in her early life because not everybody wears a hijab. While playing volleyball and softball,
there is a uniform required to be worn, but because she wears a hijab, she could not follow those
requirements. Since she wears a hijab, those sports can trouble her. However, when she found fencing,
she said, “It felt like a calling!” in fencing, the uniform is covered head to toe so that wound not have
been a problem.

Ibtihaj is not alone in this world with wanting people to accept Muslim women into athletics.
For instance, “Nike” has supported her involvement by this quote, “Nike recently announced plans to
debut a “pro hijab” for Muslim women who compete.” Like Ibtihaj, who became a bronze medalist in
the Olympics and now a “modest fashion line” with her family, the sisters all do fashion, and their
brother does financial. The Former President of the United States, Barack Obama, was also intrigued but
some advancements that he invited her to visit the white house and told her that she has been doing
great work.

Muslim women have struggled from oppression and not being accepted by society in their
homeland and here in western society. Culture in the middle east for women is a hard life. They are
created to be property by the man of the house. Some countries have been letting women into sports in
the middle east. However, some oppose and oppress them. Here in the west, if you put the hard work in
like the story of Ibtihaj, anything is possible for anybody. Change is hard for some; a diverse group of
people will fight change with support to the cause people will accept difference.

Ibtihaj has impacted Muslim society; she gave strength to a woman named Hajar Abulfazl, who
captained the National Women’s Football team in Afghanistan. Ibtihaj’s influence so inspired Hajar
“made a worldwide impact competing and winning in Olympics for America,” adding, “She represents a
strong and smart athlete who has a commitment to her faith and culture. Her words and photos educate
people worldwide who believe the old stereotype about the hijab and that Muslim women are weak.”

Ibtihaj has become a public figure in today’s age. She came from a girl who had little, to a
woman spreading the word for acceptance globally and praising Muslim women for being strong. She
has even got the attention of Barbie, they have created a doll for her that’s dark skin tone, wearing a
hijab, and in a fencing outfit because of the fame, she has gained. From Nike to Barbie to even former
president Obama. Ibtihaj is an outgoing, smart, and beautiful woman that will go the distance to show
the world that Muslim women are strong and can do anything in society when they set their minds to it
and make goals for achievement in life.
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Alexander Litchford
Professor Nichter
ENGL-130-B04
12/8/2020

Works Cited

Barbie to roll out doll honoring groundbreaking Olympian | Lifestyle | phillytrib.com

Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad left her mark on U.S., Olympics - Sports Illustrated

Ibtihaj Muhammad - - Biography

Muslim Women Changing Sports By Wearing Hijab - Rolling Stone