Despite anti-Islam slurs by the likes of Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, Muslim-American, Ibtihaj Muhammad, is competing at the ongoing Rio Olympics Games wearing a hijab.
The hijab is a veil that covers the head and chest, which is particularly worn by Muslim women.
Muhammad, a native of New Jersey, becomes the first American to compete with this modest dress sense in the history of the country and the Olympics.
Maybe in a not too popular sport known as sabre fencing, Muhammad choose the game because the uniform allows her to adhere to the tenets of her faith.
She became an instant star when she qualified for her first Olympics earlier this year. And the sports ambassador embraced the spotlight, narrowly losing to Michael Phelps as the US Team captain.
At the opening ceremonies, Muhammad took pictures with women from Saudi Arabia.
“That was a beautiful experience to see women in hijab from all around the world be involved in sport and be present at this level of sport,” she said, calling that night in the stadium in Rio one of the best moments of her life.
“Anyone who has paid attention to the news would know the importance of having a Muslim woman on Team USA,” said Muhammad.
“It’s challenging those misconceptions that people have about who the Muslim woman is.”
Ranked eighth in the world in sabre, the 30-year-old beat Ukrainian Olena Kravatska 15-13 in her first match before falling to France’s Cecilia Berder 15-12 in the round of 16.
But the vocal Muhammad still has a shot on Olympic medal, in the team competition on August 13.
“I feel like it’s a blessing to be able to represent so many people who don’t have voices, who don’t speak up,” Muhammad said. “It’s just been a really remarkable experience.
“I wish that, not just my life, but the lives of Muslims all over the world were a little bit easier, particularly in the United States.”
Muhammad who owns a clothing company, Louella, said her inspiration was to become the first Muslim-American lady to participate at the Olympics.
“When I heard that there had never been a Muslim woman on the U.S. team to wear the hijab, that is when I made this conscious decision to go for 2016.” She added:
“I am excited to represent not just myself, my family and my country – but also the greater Muslim community.”
