Muslim women Olympians: A hijab & a gun

Do you feel lucky?

Kuwaiti Olympian Dana Al-Nassrallah trained for several hours a day in 45 degree Celsius temperatures. The invention of full-body swimwear helped ease the entry of Pakistan’s first woman swimmer to the Games, 13-year old Rubab Raza. And Iranian markswoman Nassim Hassanpour has perfected her aim for the 10 meter air pistol event, despite gymnastics being her first love.

These are the stories of the many Muslim women Olympians, and the challenges they have faced – physical, social, and mental – in pursuing their dreams. Some have already reached the top, including Nur�an Taylan of Turkey, who broke seven records on her way to winning the gold medal in the 48-kg women’s weightlifting event. “I will be representing the women of Afghanistan,” said Afghani sprinter and flag bearer Rubiina Muqimyar, “and Muslim women around the world, who have been deprived of their rights for so long.” Two Muslim women also represent the US – Tae Kwon Do team member Nia Abdallah and volleyball star Tayyiba Haneef, who also qualified for the high jump in the 2000 US Olympic Trials.

This year, an estimated 50 Muslim women are participating, more than in any previous Olympiad. Sure enough, the media has a field-day with the imagery (“Olympic Sport of Veil-Lifting“, “Women Overcome Muslim Oppression“, “Hurdles Are Their Best Event“), but despite this the women press ahead, focusing on their goals and ignoring the frowning faces of some Muslims back home. After all, who wants to argue with women who can lift twice your weight and shoot you between the eyes at 10 meters?

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.