Maine high school reportedly first in US to provide Muslim athletes sport hijabs

[jpak]

Source: Bangor Daily News

A high school in Portland, Maine, is believed to be the first secondary school in the United States to offer its Muslim student athletes performance hijabs, the Associated Press reports.

The sport hijabs, which are specifically designed to stay in place during rigorous activity, will eliminate the need for female Muslim athletes at the high school to provide their own head coverings, which often shifted or threatened to fall off during play.

The new head wear makes “a huge difference,” Deering High School tennis player Tabarek Kadhim told Portland’s CBS affiliate WGME. “I feel so comfortable now. I can play without my hijab falling off.”

The biggest benefit, students said, is that the new gear has given them a confidence boost on the field.

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Read more: http://bangordailynews.com/2017/06/09/news/state/maine-high-school-reportedly-first-in-us-to-provide-muslim-athletes-sport-hijabs/?ref=regionstate

[Aristus]

1. Oh man, the Trumpanzees aren't going to like this.

Be wary of screeching and flung feces...

[Initech]

5. Trumpanzees! I like that one!

[msongs]

2. will they also provide gear for every other religion? nt

[Maine-i-acs]

11. Not sure which others require head coverings while doing sports. nt

[Hekate]

15. Orthodox Jews and Sikhs prescribe head-coverings for boys and men

Not a problem, in my book

[Maine-i-acs]

22. some of these are more stable than others.

Traditional Hijabs can be too loose for physical activity.
I know Yarmulke can be safety-pinned and have seen them in use with activewear.
Not sure about the stability of a Sikh headwrap though.

[Hekate]

14. If a boy wants to wear a yarmulke, he already has bobby-pins to hold it in place...

If they want to make an issue of "team colors" that is easily solved.

A hijab is usually a long scarf wrapped just so, slightly differently in different countries. I've seen some Indonesian Muslim women who wear a head covering that is sewn to fit. The point is that a head covering made of a long scarf is easily dislodged in vigorous activity, and really, why not make it easier for girls to participate in sports rather than harder.

Personally, I think the issue (if indeed it is one) will solve itself in another generation. A century ago hundreds of thousands of women arrived at Ellis Island from Europe with their heads wrapped in scarves and shawls. Their daughters and granddaughters did not wear them.

[Doreen]

3. Good for them. It is a start.

They just need to do that for all religions.

[greymattermom]

4. The sport hijab would probably work

for any religion requiring head covering. Wouldn't it?

[Doreen]

7. Probably. I was mostly talking about other religions that may

have other dress codes. I am not entirely sure if there are any that would need to adjust any wear for sports though.

[snooper2]

8. negative, for the church of the FSM we require metal headgear

It may become quite pricey for the school districts...

[jmowreader]

16. Just weld chinstrap bales to your spaghetti strainer

Attach a chinstrap off an Army helmet to it, and you'll be good.

[Igel]

13. Kippa. n/t

[TheDebbieDee]

6. This surprising in light of Maine's backward-ass

Racist governor!

[Maine-i-acs]

10. This school is in the heart of a Blue district and -

in the midst of a growing, vibrant immigrant population.
The exact opposite of any backwards-ass stereotype that can be imaged of Maine.

Most of us here hate this idiot Governor.

[ProudLib72]

9. When the GOP gets wind of this

"Oh, those poor girls being forced to wear head coverings by the school! No more funds for all Maine schools, and let's create legislation that specifically bans any outward appearance of religious association other than christianity."

[colorado_ufo]

12. I'm more concerned, after reading the article, with ANY 16 year old participating in boxing.

Hijab or not.

Let's face it, Olympic sport or not, the goal of boxing is to deliberately administer a concussion to the opponent - a "knockout." Deliberately damage a young person's brain. A young, developing brain with a lifetime of use ahead.

What could possibly go wrong?

[rusty fender]

17. Special accommodation for no

religions should be allowed by public schools in this country. There should be zero tolerance for religious beliefs displays by any government entity in the U.S. PERIOD!

In our zeal as tolerant progressives, we can't wait to trip over ourselves to accommodate every religious accoutrement by public institutions, but in doing so we erode the wall between church and state. This wall is crucial to our democracy.

I think it is personally offensive to display your religious preference in public, but I tolerate such displays by ignoring them as much as I can. However, leave that shit at home if you work for the government, if you attend public schools, if you serve in the military.

If you can't bear to leave your lucky rabbit's foot(or cross, star of david, crescent moon, buddha, etc.) at home if you work at city hall, or the National Park Service, for instance, at least wear it under your shirt or keep it in your pocket.



Flame away

[obamanut2012]

18. I'm an atheist and a feminist, and know what I have to say to this

Just stop.

[rusty fender]

19. I am an atheist and feminist

so you should get where I'm coming from, but don't come crying to me when, in the battle of religious accommodation wars, the religion that wins makes you kowtow to its god.

For goodness sakes, your feminist bearings tell you how utterly degrading and destructive religions have been to women

[obamanut2012]

20. boo hoo

I love seeing these girls able to participate in sports. Love it. It is freeing and empowering to them. It's so sad you cannot see that, but can only criticize them and the actions of their school district. Baby steps lead to walking, and walking leads to running.

Your concern is noted.

Get over it.

[rusty fender]

21. These girls are opressed by their religion

It isn't their hijabs that have hindered their athletic aspirations.

[hughee99]

23. Should people leave their political views at home if they work for the government, serve in the

military or ATTEND public schools?

[Hekate]

24. Twaddle