Female Footballers Push back on Hijab Ban in France
January 28, 2022
Last week, the French Senate voted in favor of banning "the wearing of of the veil in sports competitions," saying that "neutrality is a requirement on the field of play." The amendment, proposed by the right-wing party Les Republicains, added a reference to the hijab and passed the upper legislative house by a vote of 160 to 143. It could be ratified as early as Monday with a second chamber vote.
At more than five million, France has the largest Muslim population in Western Europe, with approximately 31% of French Muslim women wearing a headscarf (hijab or niqab) as of 2019. Along with the French Football Federation's (FFF) ban on hijabs within its championships, headscarves are also prohibited in schools and government buildings. In 2020, it was reported that Islamophobic attacks increased by 53%. Paris is set to host 2024 Olympic Games, but it is not clear yet how the amendment would affect the event.
In speaking on the ban, Siham Abdullahi, Beyond Sport Youth Advisory Board Member and Co-founder of BarakahLdn, stated: "The French Senates’ vote in favour of banning the wearing of hijabs in sports competitions speaks volumes to the hostile attitude towards Muslim women in today's society. This ban not only alienates a whole demographic of people that simply want to play the sport they love, but also pushes the progress Muslim women have made in sports back. This ban is an Islamophobic political move that will massively affect young visibly Muslim girls wanting to pursue sports."
"Sport is supposed to be for all and the constant banning and unbanning of the hijab (FIFA unbanning the hijab in 2014) is frustrating and unfair and reminds Muslim women that, to many, they don't belong in these spaces. For many women, choosing to wear a hijab is deeply personal and shows the conviction they have towards God. Forcing women and girls to choose between whether they wish to compete at the highest levels or practice their faith is unethical and wrong," she continued.
Les Hijabeuses, a collective of young French female football players who are committed to changing legislation and the narrative of women wearing hijabs in France, are among the many speaking out. Formed in 2020 by Alliance Citoyenne, the Paris-based group campaigns so that all women, and in particular Muslim women, can practice their sport in competition. In 2021, they protested against the vote prohibiting “the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols” during sporting events by the FFF. This week, they organized a football match in front of the Senate calling for annulment of the amendment and chanting “Let us play.”
Reflecting on the backwards movement on inclusion and gender equality, Lex Chalat, Beyond Sport Board Member and Director of Community Engagement & World Cup Legacy for the Qatar Foundation stated: "We know that getting women and girls to play sports is a challenge mainly due to barriers of access. Prohibiting the wearing of a hijab during sport puts up yet another barrier for thousands to playing sports. Not only that, it furthers preconceived notions and misunderstanding of religions and cultures."
"At a time when Beyond Sport are supporting organizations fighting for equal pay, access to sports stadia and safeguarding for women in sport - as well as those that use sport to enable social justice and advocate for issues of inclusion and equality - this is a huge step back and sends the wrong message to the world and to young girls everywhere about the importance of sport and the opportunity it can provide."
As the final decision on whether this amendment comes into law approaches, Les Hijabeuses and their allies are mobilizing under the "Let Us Play" campaign, which calls on social media users to record a short clip describing why allowing the wearing of hijabs in sport is important and raise awareness on the discrimination hijab-wearing athletes face. World Hijab Day is February 1.
Sources: Le Parisien, Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye