By Zainab KhanNouhaila Benzina etched her name in history as she became the pioneer footballer to don a hijab during a World Cup match. Until 2014, the wearing of the hijab at the World Cup was prohibited due to health and safety reasons. While on the field last Sunday, Nouhaila Benzina, adorned in her hijab, challenged norms…
By Fatima ZaidiYusra Mardini is our honoree for Muslim Women to Watch 2023, Muslim Girl’s annual list of the prolific Muslim women making our year. Yusra Mardini’s story begins in Damascus, Syria, where she spent her life training, and practicing to become a competitive swimmer. Her journey into athleticism began when she represented Syria during the 2012…
By MG StaffMorocco became the first Arab nation and fourth from Africa to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. Achraf Hakimi celebrating with his mother after defeating Spain in the Round of 16. The Moroccan team recites Surah Al Fatiha right before the penalty shootout with Spain. Morocco raises the Palestine flag after their 2-1 victory over Canada in…
By Zeinab FakihThere have been several incidents globally in which female athletes have been pushing back against their mandatory team uniforms. One of the more notorious incidents that sparked worldwide media attention was that of the Norwegian women’s beach handball team. The European Handball Federation fined these women €1500 for resisting the typical uniform of bikini bottoms…
By imaanasimRepresentation in sports can change hearts and minds. In a world where we are divided, constantly picking political sides or having debates about religion, it might seem surprising that football unites us all. At the core of football is unity and allyship, with support from players, bosses, and fans. I ask myself how one team…
By Zeina JhaishWith the rapidly growing industry of inclusive sportswear, it is vital to make sure that all minorities from all parts of the world should be represented and considered in a field so important. This is an issue especially in North America, where these minorities lie within bigger populations that are often represented easily and frequently…
By Amani SalahudeenEarlier today, the French sports store, Decathlon, announced its intention to cancel plans to put out a sports hijab in response to threats of a boycott by French politicians. Shockingly, several bouts of criticism came from ministers in President Macron’s centrist government. Agnès Buzyn, the current Health Minister in Macron’s government, stated [about the sports hijab]:…
By Ifrah AWithin the past year, we witnessed Ibtihaj Muhammad become the first American hijabi to compete in the Olympics, we watched Saudi Arabia’s empowering Nike ad and we watched as Islamic clothing rapidly rose in the fashion industry. As an increasing number of companies realize the potential of tapping into this largely unexplored market, they’re aiming to…
By SaraWe so often hear about the firsts in every sport, but the Speed Sisters are little known to even us Palestine advocates. The Speed Sisters are the first all-women Palestinian automobile racing team of both Muslims and Christians, who formed in 2009 when the British Consulate in Jerusalem funded a race car for them. They…
By AmaniAs the champions of the World Cup will suspensively by decided over the next two days, prominent international figures, including world leaders, performers, and the players themselves, are trying to remind us of the one goal that matters: education for all. Spearheaded by Queen Rania of Jordan, the 1GOAL campaign is aimed at seizing “the…
