US Faiths Demand Basketball Religious Outfit
“Basketball has been an integral part of my life, and I pray it will continue to be in the coming years,” Indira Kaljo, a Muslim Basketball player, wrote in a letter o International Basketball Federation (FIBA) that was obtained by OnIslam.net on Tuesday, August 19.
“It has opened doors and paved ways that have given me opportunities that I could have never dreamed of.
“Unfortunately, the discriminatory FIBA rule banning head covering in competition is preventing me and many others around the world, like Bilqis, from continuing to pursue our passions,” she added.
According to FIBA rules, Islamic headscarf or hijab is banned in matches. The ban was justified by FIBA as a way to remain religiously neutral.
The ban has shattered dreams of female Muslim players who were banned from participating in overseas matches.
“Wearing the hijab during sport is in no way harmful to the player wearing it, or the other players participating. If anything, it provides safety because the hair is covered, keeping it from swinging freely and possibly becoming a hindrance,” Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir wrote in FIBA letter.
“I can personally attest that I've never endured an injury caused by my head covering. It has actually saved me from a few possible head concussions during basketball games.
“I am not only writing this letter for my benefit, I am trying to help pave a way for future Muslim women basketball players. I don't want them to have to withstand any struggles when pursuing their dreams. I want everyone in that board meeting to know, MUSLIM GIRLS HOOP TOO!”
The case of young Muslim players has won support from the leading American Muslim advocacy group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which called for allowing hijab in basketball matches.
“Without a change in this discriminatory policy, Muslim women and Sikh men will continue to be blocked from playing basketball while following their religious beliefs and practices,” CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said in a statement on Tuesday.
“FIBA should expand international access to the benefits of basketball by dropping its ban on religious head coverings.”
Islam sees hijab as an obligatory code of dress, not a religious symbol displaying one’s affiliations.
Last May, a New York Muslim student has won a worthy fight after being granted the right to wrestle while wearing beard, a decision which overturned an earlier ban which denied him the chance to compete for a full season tournament.
FIFA's International Football Association Board has allowed Muslims’ hijab and Sikh turbans last March.
In June 2011, an Atlanta Muslim woman was allowed to compete in international weightlifting tournaments while donning hijab after the sport’s world governing body modified its rules to accommodate her Muslim beliefs.
Source: On Islam
