The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a move by the Switzerland-based International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to allow athletes to wear religious headgear, including the Islamic head scarf (hijab).
Last year, CAIR joined more than 50 interfaith and advocacy organization calling on FIBA to lift its ban on religious headgear that prohibits Muslim, Sikh and Jewish athletes from competing on a professional level.
In a statement dated January 30, FIBA said: “After initiating a revision process of the headgear rule (Article 4.4.2) of the Official Basketball Rules in September 2014, the Board received a report on the impact of the exceptions applied on a domestic level during a two-year period. It favored a modification of the rule and issued a mandate for the Technical Commission to come forward with a proposal that would allow headgear to be worn safely by athletes. This will be presented to the Mid-Term Congress in May.”
“All athletes, regardless of religion, should be able to compete in their sport of choice without facing obstacles based on outdated and discriminatory policies,” said CAIR Maryland outreach manager Dr. Zainab Chaudry. “This development is an important step in the right direction and we hope the final policy decision will remove any impediments faced by Sikh, Jewish and Muslim athletes.”
“We look forward to reviewing the policy and the steps for approval, and we’re optimistic that this announcement represents positive progress,” said Sikh Coalition senior religion fellow Simran Jeet Singh. “If approved, this policy will set a powerful precedent that opens doors for religious minorities including Sikhs and Muslims.”
CAIR has also called on the Switzerland-based International Boxing Association (AIBA) and USA Boxing to grant a religious exemption to current uniform regulations so that athletes may wear hijab during competition.
