Muslim women in sports have long been undermined and underserved when it comes to modest athlete-wear that fits their lifestyles. However, things have been changing in recent years, as more inspiring Muslim athletes are standing up for their rights and fighting for inclusion and representation.
Last week, the Toronto Raptors - a Canadian professional basketball team - made history after they started selling Nike Pro Hijabs branded with their logo. The group unveiled the team-branded hijab with a Raptors claw on one side and a Nike Swoosh on the other via Twitter on Friday.
In a tweet including a video ad, they explained that the garment is "inspired by those brave enough to change the game."
The footage features a group of Muslim women playing basketball, with one saying: "Growing up, I didn't have so many role models that looked like me."
"It's about Muslim females not having to give up their identity or feeling like they have to sacrifice some portion of their identity, but also still play whatever sport they want," she adds.
The women who appeared in the promotional video are members of Hijabi Ballers, a Toronto athletic club for Muslim girls and women. The club collaborated with the Raptors to launch the branded hijab, CNN reported.
The club expressed their excitement at joining forces with the Raptors for the campaign, announcing the collaboration on Instagram. They also thanked the Raptors for recognizing the role Muslim women play in "changing the culture around sport" in the city.
The response to the branded hijab has been "overwhelming"
Speaking to CNN, Amreen Kadwa, founder and executive director of Hijabi Ballers, said the Raptors "were accommodating and respectful of the club" and provided everything needed for the successful launch of the hijab.
"It's one thing to do a launch. But it's another thing to actually involve the local community and involve the athletes that are going to be using these hijabs, so that was really nice of them to involve us in the process," Kadwa added.
The 24-year-old founder also explained that the response to the newly released branded hijabs has been overwhelming.
"With the Raptors releasing a hijab to this market of hijab-wearing athletes, it shows that they're a team that actually truly respects diversity and inclusivity and will take that extra step to involve Muslim athletes in their growth as a team and organization," she stated.
Nike launched its Pro Hijab in 2017
In 2017, sportswear giant Nike announced a line of clothing for Muslim athletes and it featured a sports hijab. A year later, the line's first collection hit stores across the world including the Arab region.
At the time the Nike Pro Hijab launched, many people attacked the sportswear giant, as discussions on what women can and cannot wear ensued. However, the company has always maintained that its modest sports gear initiative falls in line with its efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.
In a statement made when the brand's line was announced, a spokeswoman also explained that top Muslim athletes provided feedback on the product before it hit markets.
"The Nike Pro Hijab was designed as a direct result of our athletes telling us they needed this product to perform better, and we hope that it will help athletes around the world do just that," she said.
Nike has long been making strides when it comes to incorporating the female Muslim community in its business. The company has sponsored several Muslim sportswomen, such as Emirati weightlifter Amna Al Haddad. A Nike store poster in Dubai even featured a hijabi runner.
In the lead-up to the pro-hijab line, Nike released a video campaign titled "What will they say about you?"
The ad celebrates the achievements of female Middle Eastern athletes who have broken through social barriers. The series includes Tunisian Olympic fencing bronze medalist Ines Boubakri, the first Emirati parkour trainer Amal, and Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari.