Muslim Athletes Follow Tradition and Use Veil While Competing in Olympics
The photograph of Egyptian Doaa Elghobashy going up the volleyball net against German Kira Walkenhorst was published on sites and newspapers all over the world. Less for the game than for the image itself.
While the German wore a bikini, a common outfit for the sport, the Egyptian wore long pants and a "hijab" (veil).
The duo composed of herself and Nada Meawad, 18, lost again on Monday (the 9th) to Italian duo Giombini/Menagatti, by two sets to zero. They were defeated in their first game against Germany by the same score and will attempt an unprecedented victory against Canada on Thursday (the 11th).
"I've been wearing a 'hijab' for ten years. It doesn't prevent me from doing the things that I love, and beach volleyball is one of them", declared Elghobashy, 19, right after the game against Germany.
It's with this attitude that she and other athletes are competing in the Olympic Games in Rio.
Elghobashy will be wearing her "hijab" once again while representing her country in the Olympics. In addition to her, other Muslims are competing using the accessory as well.
In rowing, Iranian Mahsa Javar ended up being eliminated from the single-skiff category on Monday (the 8th), after placing third after completing the qualifying heat. The best the 22-year-old athlete has done until today was a silver medal at the World Sub-23 in 2014 in the double-skiff category.
On the same day, Ayesha Al Balushi, from the United Arab Emirates, ended her participation in Rio-2016 in last place in the same competition, while American Ibtihaj Muhammad - who made history by being the first athlete from her country to compete in a "hijab" - lost to French Cecilia Berder in the second round of fencing in the sabre category.
At least one other Muslim will yet attempt to make history at Rio-2016 using a veil: Sarah Attar, in the marathon. In London-2012 she became the second woman in the history of Saudi Arabia to compete in the Olympics. The first was Wojdan Shaherkani, who at 16 competed in judo also using a veil.
Translated by LLOYD HARDER