15 WNBA players sign open letter to demand FIBA overturn its hijab ban

[HuskyNan]

Ok, we have a few people in this thread kind of going off the rails a little bit. From a FIBA perspective this has NOTHING to do with religion. The ban has to do with "safety".

It is now, but that wasn't the original intent.

The sport’s international governing body, FIBA, has a rule prohibiting players from wearing headscarves on the court. As recently as 2009, FIBA defended the rule as one designed to prevent injuries as well as maintain a “religiously neutral” environment, identifying the hijab as a religious symbol. (FIBA has not, however, taken any action against religious tattoos, such as crosses.) More recently, the organization has backed away from the religious aspect and has upheld the rule on the grounds that headscarves are not part of the “official uniform

Is pro basketball ready for Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir?

 

[meyers7]

It is now, but that wasn't the original intent.

The sport’s international governing body, FIBA, has a rule prohibiting players from wearing headscarves on the court. As recently as 2009, FIBA defended the rule as one designed to prevent injuries as well as maintain a “religiously neutral” environment, identifying the hijab as a religious symbol. (FIBA has not, however, taken any action against religious tattoos, such as crosses.) More recently, the organization has backed away from the religious aspect and has upheld the rule on the grounds that headscarves are not part of the “official uniform

Is pro basketball ready for Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir?

Yea, that's what I said. Thanks.

 

[bags27]

Regarding the narrow question of safety, there is, of course, this most famous event (below). But Duncan's death was totally freaky, a once-in-a billion event. And, IIRC, when NFL players began wearing their hair very long in braids, it was declared that it was part of the uniform and could be pulled by an opposing player. So, it was a liability in that you could be tackled by your (extended) hair. To my knowledge, this has never been done: players respect each other too much, it seems. But that's not about safety per se.

As to prohibiting religious symbols, well, gee whiz, we violate that all the time. Pittsburgh Steeler's HC Mike Tomlin always wears a very large cross prominently displayed, so that it's impossible for the TV not to pick it up. Even on this board, I believe someone's avatar is IXTHUS. We cut those folks slack, so there is naturally suspicion that banning the hijab is a bit hypocritical if not outright prejudicial. No one denies this is a very difficult subject, especially given current events. Compassion should always be the default emotion here.