EXCLUSIVE
The Olympic medal-winning fencer speaks to Al Jazeera on religion, illustration and Islamophobia.
Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad made historical past in 2016 by being the primary US-team member to compete within the Olympics sporting a hijab.
It was a 12 months that noticed rising anti-Muslim sentiment within the nation with then-candidate Donald Trump’s discuss of a so-called “Muslim ban”.
In a brand new episode of Technology Sport, Muhammad instructed Al Jazeera that this put an uncomfortable highlight on her in comparison with her teammates, as she was requested to weigh in on Trump and his views.
“I undoubtedly had apprehension answering these questions”, she stated, “however I felt like this was my alternative to dispel a whole lot of stereotypes that individuals have concerning the Muslim group, about the place we’re from, what we appear to be”.
Previous to qualifying for the Rio Olympics, the place she received a bronze medal, Muhammad graduated from Duke College the place she was an lively scholar athlete on the fencing crew, and through her time there determined to change from finding out drugs to finding out Worldwide Relations and African American research.
“I really feel like I owed it to the individuals who got here earlier than me to study my very own historical past, the place I’m from, and these stunning moments which have created, not simply me, however the existence of my folks”.
This engagement with African American historical past as a scholar paved the best way for Muhammad to create her personal path as a Muslim African American feminine athlete and discover her objective as an athlete.
“It’s simple to get caught up on this hustle and bustle of life the place it may be so self-focused,” she stated. “By sport and studying concerning the historical past of individuals like Jackie Robinson or Muhammad Ali and Althea Gibson, I had the chance to know that my journey is greater than me and I can really create significant change with my platform if I select to take action”.
On this episode of Technology Sport, @IbtihajMuhammad and host @ImaniAmrani discover a number of the challenges of being a visibly Muslim girl within the US submit 9/11.
Hear Ibtihaj’s story and reflections on overcoming discrimination.
Watch on @AJEnglish
▶️https://t.co/FjD80iyYDY pic.twitter.com/RMfrpb5p3I— Technology Change (@AJEGenChange) September 18, 2023
With a view to attain the Olympics within the first place Muhammad needed to break down exterior obstacles that she confronted because of race and faith, however she has additionally spoken about having to beat inner struggles with despair and efficiency anxiousness.
Since profitable her medal on the 2016 Olympics she has printed her autobiography through which she particulars these experiences, in addition to two youngsters’s books and continued along with her modest clothes line, Louella, which caters to Muslim fashion-conscious ladies, and she or he continues to make use of her platform to signify hijabi ladies.
“Traditionally, the world has been obsessive about the hijab for no matter motive”, she says. “I feel that it’s rooted in racism. I feel it’s rooted in Islamophobia. It’s not likely concerning the hijab”.
Together with her work and initiatives taking her all over the world, she additionally feels near Muslim communities and their struggles past the USA. She has much less apprehension now about talking out on points linked to Islamophobia and Muslim communities in different nations.
“As a Muslim, you are feeling clearly very, very connected to what’s occurring in Palestine, what’s occurring in China [with the treatment of Uighur Muslims], or the current police killing that occurred in France, I occurred to be there”.
The killing of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk by police in Paris on June 27 sparked riots in France this summer time and made Muhammad mirror on the problems of police brutality which have led to the #BlackLivesMatter motion within the US too.
“I imagine that if we begin to care extra and attempt to drive coverage adjustments, and to carry the police accountable, we received’t have this occur as typically. However now we have to do one thing to shake the room and wake us up. This isn’t regular”.
Technology Sport with Ibtihaj Muhammad, introduced by Iman Amrani, was first broadcast on September 17, 2023 on Al Jazeera English.
