Posted on 06/08/2017 7:49:41 AM PDT by EinNYC
Muslim student athletes at one U.S. high school no longer have to be slowed down by worries that their headscarves might fall off.
Deering High School in Portland, Maine, is providing sport hijabs with the goal of making Muslim girls comfortable - and boosting their participation in sports. The lightweight scarves stay put and are less bulky than other hijabs, garments that cover the hair and are worn by many Muslim women to express their faith.
"We're more confident on the field," said junior lacrosse player Fadumo Adan. "This one doesn't fall off. No matter what I do, it won't fall off."
Tennis co-captains Liva Pierce and Anaise Manikunda raised more than $800 online to buy the sporty hijabs for their Muslim teammates after the school's athletic director learned of the product. They solicited private donations to avoid criticism for using taxpayer funds on religious apparel, and ended up with enough to outfit all teams, including lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, softball, field hockey and track.
The high school is believed to be the first in the United States to provide hijabs for Muslim athletes, as opposed to students providing their own headscarves, said Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
The move is part of a trend around the world of more Muslim women finding ways to play sports while wearing hijabs. Some Muslim countries, like Saudi Arabia, impose severe limitations on women engaging in sports, while cultural sensitivities and family opposition can also pose hurdles.
The International Basketball Federation and the international soccer organization FIFA lifted bans on head coverings in recent years, and Ibtihaj Muhammad became the first American to compete at the Olympics while wearing a hijab when she won a bronze medal in fencing at the 2016 Rio Games.
Muslim students at Deering said they were grateful for the support at a time when President Trump has pushed to ban travel from several Muslim countries.
Israa Enan, a senior who was born in Iraq, said she stayed off the school's tennis team because her parents had concerns about the uniform and lack of hijab.
"I wished I was one of these girls who wear the hijabs and play with it, but it's OK," Enan said. "I'm too late now." She said she's "happy for the other girls who have the opportunity now to wear the hijab and be more comfortable doing the things they like to do."
Maine - the nation's whitest state - is becoming more culturally and racially diverse with immigration. There are about 10,000 African newcomers, mostly from Somalia and Sudan in Maine's two largest cities, while others have come from the Middle East.
The tennis co-captains are not Muslim, but Pierce said there was a "duh!" moment when she discussed the idea with Melanie Craig, the school's athletic director.
"This makes so much sense. If there's something that we can do to make our teammates feel more comfortable, then why not just do it?" Pierce said.
Her Muslim teammates appreciated the effort.
"There are some people who actually care, respect and love others, and they are actually accepting of others, which makes me really happy," said sophomore tennis team member Tabarek Kadhim, who moved to Maine four years ago from Jordan.
"Our kids know that, when they come in through our doora, they're safe, thery're honored and we honor individuality. And this was one way we coudl do it," Craig told CBS Portland affiliate WGME-TV.
Nike announced last month that it'll begin marketing a sport hijab next year, bringing the product into the mainstream. But Craig didn't wait, finding a sport hijab manufactured by Asiya, a company that raised more than $39,000 in November to expand beyond selling locally in Minnesota.
Asiya is preparing to move manufacturing to New York to keep up with demand, said Fatimah Hussein, a Somalia native who coaches basketball and co-founded the business. The apparel company is named for Asiya bint Muzahim, a key figure in Islamic history known for standing up to injustice.
The market has potential: There are more than 610,000 Muslim women under 20 across the United States, according to the Pew Research Center.
"We're hopeful that this does encourage more Muslim female athletes to participate," said Craig. "I do believe it has held some of them back. It takes courage for them to stand out here and honor who they are and their diversity."
Good question. Sports require uniforms-usually shorts. What does a hijab matter when the uniform itself isn’t allowed?
There are teams full of Somali boys here, but I have yet to see a Somali girl join a team.
Plus, how can you run fast and change direction quickly in a full ankle length robe?
How many mussies at this high school in Maine?
If there are more than five I want to know why
That's because Islam is a cult, not a religion, and therefore, the 1st Amendment does not apply.
I used to get stoned at home after school (and sometimes before); but this was in the mid-70's when everyone just got stoned.
But I would not feel so all alone....
In the muslim world, I think there is only one kind of stoned for their females ;)
I’ve heard that about Upstate New York.
I also have relatives in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
I grew up in Suffolk County MANY years ago. Years ago, my late uncle was a GOP big wig on Long Island.
My NY relatives voted for Trump 2:1
Bring on the bacon to every event.
... 'cause everybody must get stoned!
Perhaps Dylan was cryptically referring to Islam and Sharia Law:
Well, they’ll stone ya when you’re trying to be so good
They’ll stone ya just a-like they said they would
They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to go home
Then they’ll stone ya when you’re there all alone
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Well, they’ll stone ya when you’re walkin’ ‘long the street
They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to keep your seat
They’ll stone ya when you’re walkin’ on the floor
They’ll stone ya when you’re walkin’ to the door
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
They’ll stone ya when you’re at the breakfast table
They’ll stone ya when you are young and able
They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to make a buck
They’ll stone ya and then they’ll say, “Good luck”
Tell ya what, I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Well, they’ll stone you and say that it’s the end
Then they’ll stone you and then they’ll come back again
They’ll stone you when you’re riding in your car
They’ll stone you when you’re playing your guitar
Yes, but I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Well, they’ll stone you when you walk all alone
They’ll stone you when you are walking home
They’ll stone you and then say you are brave
They’ll stone you when you are set down in your grave
But I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned
Bob Dylan, Everybody Must Get Stoned
Actually the name of the song is “Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35”.
My understanding is that Trump would have won New York State if not for the libtards in NYC and the near suburbs.
Maine can give thanks to the Clinton crime syndicate for bringing the muslims there in the first place.
It’s only a matter of time before they require habibs.
quote-How can these public school administrators now justify their capitulation to accommodate muslims in their dress and daily prayer practices but who have no form or pillars in the making of this Christian nation? The enemies within are killing this country.
drypowder, since you referenced Christianity, I’d refer you to the Christian Bible- and the Apostle Paul in his letter to the believers in Corinth.
It is written in the Christian Bible- 1 Corinthians 11
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
The Apostle Paul understood ‘headship’ and the Patriarchal Govt of God and the curse in the garden.
Every Christian man who prays or prophesies with covering their head, according to scripture, is dishonoring their head.
and their head, is Christ.
Every Christian woman who prays or prophesies without covering her head, according to scripture, is dishonoring her ‘head’.
and her ‘head’ is either her father (if unmarried) or her husband (if married).
Not sure ‘head coverings’ is a hill ‘Christianity’ wants to mess with-
Nuns wearing their habit are doing exactly what these non western muslim and non muslim women are doing.
Same with an Amish woman who covers her head.
According to scripture, in those cases, those women are honoring their head- depending on marriage, that is either husband or their father.
And it may seem small or insignificant- but it explains the curse at the very beginning. and the continue curses from the garden.
And the change to the current cursed matriarchal govt system in the US -
from the former biblically based , Patriarchal blessed and ordained by God, govt system.
God has used a donkey before-
He can most certainly use non-western, non-Christian women, to be a testimony to His Blessed Patriarchal Govt Order and Headship- that is to be found in families, churches and government.
It will be for eyes that see and ears that hear..
Hillary Clinton’wearing the pants’ and uncovered head, is not a testimony to His Blessed Patriarchal Govt Order and Headship- But when she puts on a head covering, it is.
Try having that preach anywhere:)
Instead of the usual conservative gripes I would like to see them ask her and her family what they think of feminism and jihad.
Someone please explain how a full body leotard hides all those feminine curves? Also, their ankles and their faces are out there for all to see. Does a male relative accompany them to class? Why are girls even being educated? This is just another play of the "oooh, look at me, I'm special" card. They pick and choose which muzzy rules to follow.
10,000 newcomers in just two cities. Let that sink in. 10,000 and newcomers. How many earlier arrivals? How many across the US?
That’s my thinking too. And , the way sports require running and jumping and bending, there would be time where Muslim sensibilities will.be offended. Not only are legs showing but legs could be apart, or parts of a woman’s body could bounce and offend Muslims . Based on what Muslims themselves tell us, it seems the whole area of athletic competition is too dangerous so to speak, for Muslim women to participate.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.