[wvns] Sports Hijab Takes On in Canada
Alberta Soccer Association to allow sports version of hijab in
women's soccer
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gi8htehz7GuxihkovYfGzwC-
gSNg
CALGARY - The Alberta Soccer Association has lifted its temporary ban
on Muslim head scarves that prevented some girls from playing the
sport. The ban was imposed earlier this month after a referee barred
a 14-year-old girl from wearing the traditional scarf, or hijab,
during a game in Calgary. The organization that oversees soccer in
the province said it could pose a safety risk to the person wearing
it, if were grabbed by another player. The association's board says
it has reviewed the matter and decided it will allow a sports-type
version of the scarf. That version contains a Velcro strap under the
chin and is permitted by the Canadian Soccer Association. The
association says sports hijabs will be allowed on the field as long
as they have been inspected by the referee before a game begins.
===
More Muslim Girls Wear Scarf in Games
12/18/2007
Jeff Karoub
http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?
mid1=676&&ArticleID=23980&&name=n&&currPage=1
Dewnya Bakri loves her faith — and the feeling of sinking a three-
pointer. For much of her life, the 20-year-old Muslim has found a way
to balance practicing Islam and playing basketball, including wearing
a head scarf and long pants on the hardcourt, even if it's meant
taunts as she blazed trails on her middle school, high school and
college teams. Now a college senior at University of Michigan-
Dearborn preparing for law school, she spends free time coaching
Muslim girls and sharing what she experienced in Dearborn, home of at
least 40 mosques, to help give them the confidence to follow in her
footsteps. As more covered Muslim girls take up competitive sports,
Bakri and others say it's time to get beyond merely allowing the
hijab — the traditional Muslim head scarf worn for modesty — and help
those wearing them feel welcome. "It's not like accommodating for one
person anymore, it's a group," Bakri says. Experts and advocates say
the number of Muslim girls wearing the hijab on the court, track or
field is rising because girls are growing more comfortable pursuing
mainstream activities while maintaining religious traditions. "They
don't see the barriers," said Edina Lekovic, spokeswoman for the Los
Angeles-based Muslim Public Affairs Council. "They take it for
granted they can play in competitive sports ... and work out the
clothing issues at the same time." Even so, Bakri and current players
at her former school, Fordson High, players say they've heard trash-
talk that goes beyond the usual on-court chatter — calling them
terrorists, telling them to go back to their own country. Bakri said
some coaches and referees have questioned whether she could play in a
scarf and sweat pants, relenting only when her coach produced a
letter from the Michigan High School Athletic Association allowing
the uniform modification.
===
Coach happy with hijab decision
Florence Loyie
The Edmonton Journal
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/cityplus/story.html?
id=f3994f2c-4075-4f52-b5fb-a20ca99fcc12&k=55108
Knowledge-based announcement sidelines issue for female soccer
players
EDMONTON - The coach of an Edmonton Muslim female soccer team is
cheering an Alberta Soccer Association's decision to allow sports-
type hijabs provided they comply with international football
rules. "I am very happy," said Nahhid Alami, coach of the Al-Ikhwat
team which was sidelined earlier this month after the ASA placed a
temporary ban on hijabs. "It is not like the case in Montreal where
they totally banned it." The interim decision came after a referee
banned a 14-year-old Calgary girl from playing soccer while wearing a
hijab because of choking concerns. Thirteen of the 18 women, aged 16
to 25, who play for Al-Ikhwat wear a hijab -- a head scarf worn by
some Muslim women in keeping with the Qur'anic directive that they
dress modestly. The Edmonton and District Soccer Association was
forced to postpone Al-Ikhwat's remaining games until the ASA made a
final hijab ruling. Alami said he was confident the ASA's board of
directors would make the right decision once they were properly
informed. "I think when the ASA first made their interim decision,
they didn't have the background on what it actually was." Alberta
joins British Columbia and Ontario in allowing female soccer players
to wear a hijab while playing. The head scarf is banned in Quebec.
The Federation International Football Association rules state: "All
items of clothing or equipment other than the basic equipment must be
inspected by the referee and determined not to be dangerous. Modern
protective equipment, such as headgear, face masks, knee and arm
protectors made of soft, lightweight padded material are not
considered dangerous and are therefore permitted. "If an item of
clothing or equipment that has been inspected at the start of the
match and determined not to be dangerous becomes dangerous or is used
in a dangerous manner during the match, its use must no longer be
allowed." ASA executive director Ron Axelson said the board of
directors talked to a number of organizations and individuals before
making a decision because they wanted to be well-informed on the
issue. "The board wanted to feel they were making the right decision;
a knowledge-based decision and I think they have done that. The
primary objective here was to get the kids playing on the field and
enjoying themselves, so we were looking at how do we get that done.
There is some compromise here, but sometimes that is what it takes."
There are several types of sports hijabs which allow Muslim girls to
plays sports without worrying about their head scarves shifting or
tearing. Most are a one-piece head scarf made of stretchable material
and worn by pulling it over the head. Some close with a piece of
velcro at the neck. The ASA also approved the wearing of other types
of hijabs on the condition they do not pose a danger to the wearer or
any other player. The final determination will be made by a referee
following an inspection at the start of a game. Alami said he is glad
the ASA has officially put the hijab issue to rest in Alberta, and
his team is happy they will get to play out the rest of their season.
Team members who wear a hijab wear a two-piece head scarf tucked into
their jersey. The hijab is not tied, pinned or clipped on and slips
off if someone grabs it. "I personally didn't think there was
anything dangerous with wearing a hijab. If it was hazardous, I
wouldn't have allowed the girls to wear one," Alami said, adding he
expects to see more young Muslim girls wearing hijabs trying out for
soccer now.
floyie @thejournal.canwest.com
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