Muslim Weightlifter Can Wear Hijab

Washington, July 02: The International Weightlifting Federation has ruled that a Muslim weightlifter can wear her hijab during competition, as well as wearing a full-body unitard designed to meet the Federation’s requirements that judges be able to assess knee position while honoring her faith’s requirements for female modesty.

Kalsoom Abdullah began lifting weights just a year ago in Atlanta and qualified for the American Open Weightlifting Championships last December. She was told, however, by the American Federation that she could not compete in her unique uniform. Elbows and knees are supposed to be uncovered in weightlifting so that the judges can look for “locking” of the joints which is the final requirement for completion of a lift. The IWF, meeting this week in Malaysia, decided that the tight-fitting unitard allows the judges full view of the joints.

In their press release, the IWF said, “The newly approved competition costume modification promotes and enables a more inclusive sport environment and breaks down barriers to participation.” The hijab has always been allowed in weightlifting as long as the bar doesn’t touch the scarf. The Federation International Football Association (FIFA) does not permit it, calling it a “choking hazard.” Though the hijab ban has been in effect since 2007 for soccer, the Iranian team was recently disqualified from a game. No one has yet figured out how to create a sporting hijab that does not wrap around the neck.

Abdullah will now be able to compete in July and possibly move on to the London 2012 Olympics which open on July 27. She currently lifts 70 kilos (154 lbs.) in the “snatch” and 60 kilos (132 lbs.) in a “clean and jerk” lift,  the two required lifts for Olympic competition. The PhD in electrical engineering and researcher at Georgia Tech is obviously relieved.

–Agencies–