16-year-old British Muslim girl combines faith and sports

Umme Kalsoom, felt compelled to challenge existing rules that prohibit wearing hijab during sports

 LONDON – A 16-year-old British Muslim girl has successfully campaigned for Muslim girls to be allowed to wear a hijab during physical education classes (PE) at her school.

Umme Kalsoom, who has played soccer passionately for four years, felt compelled to challenge existing rules that prohibited her and her friends from wearing the hijab during sports.

She wanted to ensure that Muslim girls could feel comfortable playing sports while remaining true to their faith.

With the support of Soccer Beyond Borders (FBB), an organization focused on education and social inclusion, Kalsoom’s efforts were successful at Marsden Heights Community College in Lancashire, England.

Her classmates also worked with school administrators to explain the importance of wearing the hijab and the emotional impact of refusing to make that choice.

Tasneem Hussain, a Muslim staff member at the school, supported the campaign and appreciated the inclusivity it promoted.

In the past, the ban on wearing hijabs during sports was justified by safety concerns and the risk of choking.

However, international soccer player Nouhaila Benzina made history by becoming the first player to wear a hijab during a World Cup match.

Kalsoom was inspired by Benzina’s courage and determination and said the role model encouraged her to continue her campaign.

In contrast, France continues to ban the wearing of hijabs in certain public spaces, including soccer fields.

The International Federation of Association Soccer (FIFA) did not allow hijabs from 2007 to 2014. Since then, women’s soccer has become more open and diverse.