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Fatimah Hussein and Jamie Glover are breaking barriers with apparel that empowers female Muslim athletes.
Writer: Carly Terwilliger
Fatimah Hussein had been helping young Muslim girls gain access to sports and physical activity for a decade before she came up with the idea for Asiya in the Brian Coyle Community Center gym in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis.
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That’s where Hussein founded the non-profit Girls Initiative in Recreation and Leisurely Sports (GIRLS) to create girls-only gym time several nights a week. As the girls gained self-confidence and a love of sports, Hussein recognized a need for athletic uniforms and apparel that would empower Muslim girls to compete in public while upholding their religious and cultural beliefs.
In a collaboration with the Cedar-Riverside community and the University of Minnesota, prototype basketball uniforms were developed in 2015, creating opportunities for girls to participate and grow through team play. That realization inspired several generations of sports hijab prototypes that were tested by the girls to optimize for fit, fabric and performance.
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Jamie Glover, a marketing professional who credits sports for helping to shape who she is today, joined Hussein to build a brand to meet this need beyond Minneapolis.
According to the brand’s website, Asiya is the name of a highly revered woman from Islamic history, Asiya bint Muzahim. She is known for being courageous and standing up against injustice – the ideal role model and champion for Asiya’s mission.
SGB asked Hussein and Glover about creating apparel that inspires and empowers Muslim athletes.
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SGB: What was your earliest sports experience, and how did it influence you?
FH: When I was young I played softball, basketball and track and field. I learned the importance of teamwork and leadership skills. I also learned about healthy eating habits. Most importantly, however, I learned what it means to be part of family – who cares for one another.
SGB: Why is the availability of modest clothing important for Muslim athlete participation?
JG: We believe all girls should be able to play sports freely – clothing should not be a barrier. We are building the next generations of young female Muslim athletes, who dare to compete while not compromising their religious or cultural belief.
SGB: What was your biggest challenge getting started?
JG: Our biggest challenge getting started was sourcing the right fabric. We didn’t need just any sports performance fabric – our requirements were much more specific. The fabric needed to be very lightweight, stretchy, and soft – it has to feel good on the face. And then, of course, breathable and sweat-wicking.
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SGB: With the understanding that you’re a for-profit business, not a political organization, would you like to say anything about the current climate around Muslims in America?
JG: We believe that sports are a wonderful way to bring communities together. When someone is your teammate you build relationships based on mutual appreciation and respect for differences. While the country is very divided over recent rhetoric, we are encouraged by the community of people and organizations that are coming together to support inclusion.
SGB: Why did you decide to make your products in the U.S.?
JG: We love the idea of keeping jobs in the United States, and also having close contact with our manufacturing partners.
SGB: Who inspires you?
JG: We are inspired by all of the Muslim advocates who are proudly sharing their voice with the world. From Ibtihaj Muhammad, our first U.S. Olympian to compete in a hijab, to organizations like Shirzanan Global, who supports Muslim athletes from all backgrounds. These women are strong, courageous and beautiful.
SGB: What feedback have you gotten from athletes who have tried your products?
JG: We have received very positive feedback. In response to the sports hijabs, they love the fabric and we often hear that they don’t even feel like they are wearing anything. And in general, we have received great feedback about what we are doing – one woman recently shared with us that “Asiya helps our community live our best life out loud.”
SGB: Where is Asiya headed from here?
JG: We are on the search for athletes, schools and sports organizations who could benefit from sports hijabs and modest activewear, and working hard to get the word out. We are also starting design work on activewear (tops and bottoms), as we’ve been receiving a lot of request for modest clothing to wear along with the new sports hijabs.
Photos courtesy Asiya
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