Muslim Basketball Players Petition FIBA to Allow Hijab
She took the decision following an "awakening" during a charity trip to earthquake-hit Haiti, World Bulletin reported.
But the Bosnian-American playerquickly realized she would not be able to play professionally in Europe as basketball's governing body hadforbiddenthe use of any type of headgear, including hijabs, turbans or yarmulkes, during official games.
"It doesn't make sense," says Kaljo, who believes the ban to be discriminatory towards athletes who want to follow their faith, including Sikhs and Jews.
In 2014, she launched an online petition, whichcollected some 70,000 signatures,attractingworldwide attention to the ban and, she says,influencedthe International Basketball Federation, or FIBA,to softenits position on head scarves.
Indeed, inSeptember 2014, FIBA announced that women would be permitted to wear religious head coverings in domestic basketball games fora two-year provisional period.
However, FIBA has yet to grant players the same latitude in international competition, saying it wouldconsider the matter in aboard meeting later this year.
FIBA says its decision has nothing to do with religion, but is only related to sportsconcerns. According to the article, allheadgear, hair accessories and jewelry are prohibited.
"It sucks," says Kaljo, who is currently in Istanbul. "This is our passion, our dream. This is what we worked for since we were little kids."
Kaljo says she does not buy the safety concerns reason given byFIBA for the rule.
She says she has been comfortable while playing covered.
"I play the same. For me, I am more comfortable now than before (when) I was playing uncovered," Kaljo says, addingthe long-sleeve dress made in a sports material helps better containsweat, which can be sometimes uncomfortable, especially in close contactwith other players.
"The first time playing with the hijab,I had a good game," she said.
"It makes me really sad when I hear of women who stopped playing after deciding to wear hijab," complains Kaljo.
The passionate athlete believes there will be moreMuslim womenplaying basketballto represent their country, if FIBAexpands the September 2014 ruling atthe international level.
"I think Muslim women should be comfortable in their skin, whether they wear the hijab or not, covered or not covered," says Kaljo, who is also running an NGO, Activne,which aims to promotepersonal developmentfor Muslim women through sports.
Kaljo thinks this ban also should be removed like other rulings that restrict women participation in daily life.
