- Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina inspires young Muslim women to practice sport while donning hijab
- The Moroccan defender becomes role model for next generation of hijabi football stars
Watching Nouhaila Benzina wearing a hijab in a world cup game has become an inspiration for many Muslim women, seeing the move as a proof that there is no barrier to playing football at the highest levels.
In the UK, Muslim women and girls who play football say they hope Benzina’s appearance at the tournament would inspire the next generation of hijabi football stars, and would also persuade clubs to adopt inclusive policies, The Guardian reported.
“It’s a very proud moment. I knew it was going to happen at one point but I didn’t think it was going to happen so soon – we’re going in the right direction,” said Yasmin Hussain, the head coach of Frenford & MSA, a large grassroots women’s team in east London with strong links to the local Muslim community.
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Yasmin Hussain, coach of a women’s team in east London. Photograph: Annabel Staff
She added that she thinks “it won’t take long at all” before there is an England player wearing a hijab.
Morocco’s Benzina made history last week when she took the field against South Korea as the first player to wear hijab at a World Cup.
FIFA celebrated the moment by a post on twitter, saying Benzina’s participation will break barriers at the global stage.
Hussain, 39, estimates about 40% of the players at her club, which includes players who are not Muslim, wear a hijab. She recommends that all players wear sports hijabs for safety reasons.
“It’s brilliant – it’s in one piece, good material, you can sweat in it, it’s proper full coverage, there are loads available,” she said.
Fatima-Zahra Sardar, aged 9, training at the Frenford & MSA club. Photograph: Joe Bella
Changing Conditions
Though lack of education might cause some clubs to fail to accommodate Muslim women, Hussain believes the situation in the UK is much better than other countries which don’t allow hijab in sport.
“If you compare us to France, what people have to go through just to play sports, how blessed we are to be welcomed, the FA is doing so much. It’s just a brilliant time,” she said.
Mona Sheikh, 42, who plays football at informal sessions run in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, feels that Benzina’s appearance sends out two messages.
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