Sports manufacturing giant, Nike, has released a brand of Sports Hijab which will allow female Muslim compete in various sporting activities and competitions.
According to Nike, it has been developing the garment for a year, following the experiences and recommendations of Muslim athletes like Emirati skater, Zahra Lari, Egyptian runner and mountaineer, Manai Rostom, and Emirati weightlifter Olympica Amna Al Haddad, having tested the garments since early 2016. The Olympic hopeful weightlifter from the United Arab Emirates said she had just one hijab in which to compete.
Nike says the Nike Pro Hijab is made of lightweight, breathable fabric “that wicks away sweat, and stays tucked in during any workout or competition.”
“The pull-on design and long back keeps the Hijab in place, while mesh fabric provides a breathable, personalized fit,” Nike said. It features tiny, strategically placed holes for “optimal breathability” but is otherwise opaque.
Nike noted that the new design was aimed at addressing both the cultural requirements of the garment and the particular styles of each Muslim country.
With fewer than one in seven girls participates in locally recommended sports activities for an hour or more in Middle Eastern countries, Nike is hopeful that this brand would inspire more female Muslim “who still face barriers and limited access to sport.”
Previous sport hijab brands
Although Nike’s inclusion into the Sports Hijab industry further boosts it, it is about 13 years late to the Sports Hijab rights. Muslimah designers worldwide have already tackled this problem for the hijabi athlete.
Ahiida:
Pioneer, Australian designer, Aheda Zanetti was inspired to create the “Hijood” a mix of hijab and hood, creating a breathable, easy-to-slip-on garment to cover the head and allow Muslim women participate sports easily.
The design was inspired by her hijabi niece who wears traditional Islamic clothing under her ball uniform. Zanetti launched Ahiida in 2004, a full sportswear brand, and eventually moved into swimwear, being the originator of the popular, trademarked, “Burkini” design, a modest swimwear solution.
Asiya Sport:
Asiya Sport named its brand after the highly revered Asiya bint Muzahim, (Pharaoh’s wife) known for being courageous and standing up against injustice. The Founder of Asiya Sport is Fatimah Hussein of non-profit program — G.I.R.L.S. (Girls Initiative in Recreation and Leisurely Sports), which created girls-only gym time several nights a week catering to Muslim girls.
The Asiya Sport website showcases 3 hijabi styles: Lite, Fit, and Sport in a variety of colours. The Ultra-lightweight and soft ASIYA Cool Technology Fabric features their sweat-wicking performance & breath-ability, keeping one cool and dry, and sells for around $40.
Raqtive:
“Be Raqtive”, is a Malaysian active brand founded in 2010 that advertises the “Sports Hijab Pro” hijab line, utilizing high-quality microfiber sports fabric, allowing better perspiration, absorbency, high breathability without compromising comfort.”
LiaWear:
In 2009, LiaWear Action, was launched by a Muslimah American Designer, Latifa Ihsan Ali of Delaware. Ali, is a University of Delaware graduate in Apparel Design whose passion lies in helping women, get active or remain active, while keeping modesty. LiaWear Action offers modest swimsuits, sportswear, and headwear.
Sukoon Active:
A brand which emerged from New York, was founded in 2015. Designer Arshiya Kherani, of Sukoon Active, a line of activewear that caters to “the modest, Muslim woman who wants to look good while exercising, without compromising her values.” Sukoon Active offers breathable, dry wicking, comfortable fabric, and currently have prototypes for four pieces in the collection — the classic hijab, the up-do hijab, the classic tee and a signature bag.
Capsters:
Designed by Capsters designer, Cindy van den Bremen, Cindy, though a non-Muslim, is married to a Muslim. She was touched by the story of a Dutch hijabi, ultimately leading to the launching of the first sports hijab in 2001. The Capster story starts when, as she put it, “a Dutch girl gets expelled in 1999 for her supposedly unsafe hijab.” The case went to court with the court’s solution of a “swim cap”. Cindy’s solution: the invention of a sports hijab.
Capsters boast of being the world’s brand in sport hijabs, with an aim to empower women through sports. Capsters have also been active in the fight of lifting hijab bans in sports. It has ambassadors that are hijabi Muslimah athletes from all over the world. Including, Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, who is the all-time leading scorer in Massachusetts high school basketball, and yet to enter the international scene because the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) doesn’t allow religious head coverings in official competitions. Bilqis has campaigned with #FIBAAllowHijab for two years, and hopes for a change to the rules.
