Paris Olympics 2024 is in full swing. French officials are happy that this is the first Olympics in which an equal number of women and men have participated. But meanwhile, a new controversy has erupted regarding the hijab worn by Muslim women in the Paris Olympics. Because of France’s hijab law, French female athletes are being prevented from playing wearing hijab. Many female athletes have raised questions on this.
While Muslim women from other countries are playing in the Olympic Games wearing hijab, French athletes have been forced to give up their hijab.
24-year-old France-based basketball player Daiba Konate says, ‘A lot of diversity was seen in the opening ceremony of the Olympics. I thought it was going to be beautiful. It should have been the same for all of us, including women who wear hijab.
In 2017, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) lifted the ban on playing wearing a hijab, but the French Basketball Federation refused to lift the ban on hijab. In France, players as well as coaches and referees are prohibited from wearing hijab.
The French Basketball Federation defends its policy, saying it reflects France’s policy of secularism, which prohibits people from wearing religious clothing in official public places.
‘Good player but because of hijab…’
Konate says that despite being a good player, she has not been given the opportunity to play in the Olympics. Konate has played for the French National Youth Team and also won the silver medal in the Youth Olympics held in Buenos Aires in 2018.
Konate, who played college basketball in America for six years, has been included in the top 30 players of the US.
She says, ‘I think I could have made my place in the Olympics. I wish I had the chance! We feel sad, I never got such an opportunity. The ban on hijab is isolating us and limiting the opportunities we get.
criticism of france hijab ban
In the month of June, human rights organizations Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International wrote a letter to the International Olympic Committee demanding that France criticize the hijab ban and intervene in this matter.
In the letter, human rights organizations wrote, ‘This ban imposed by the sports authorities of France is discriminatory. This prevents Muslim athletes wearing hijab from their human rights to play any sport without discrimination.
‘Hijab is part of life, I will never stop wearing it’
Speaking to Turkish broadcaster TRT World, player Konate said, ‘It is frustrating to be in this situation. I don’t know what to do. It is very difficult for me to accept this. I want to play basketball for a long time and I don’t want to give it up just yet.
She says that giving up hijab is not an option and she will never take it off because now it has become a part of her life.
Konate has another option to continue her game with the hijab and that is to play for a European country other than France. Konate, however, is not ready for this option.
She says, ‘I believe that I should not need to go anywhere else to play. I want to stay in Paris with my family. It is very difficult for me to leave from here.
She further says, ‘I want to tell the world how ridiculous this is. I think they also know that we just want to play basketball. But we are being separated which is injustice according to me.
French player had to take off hijab to play in Olympics
Just before the opening ceremony, French sprinter (short distance runner) Sounkamba Sila was being prevented from participating in the Olympics because of her wearing a hijab. But at the last moment it was decided that she could play the Olympics wearing a cap instead of hijab, after which she was able to participate in the opening ceremony.
Australian boxer Tina Rahmani raised questions on France’s hijab ban and said that women should have the right to decide what to wear and what not to wear.
Rahmani is the first Australian female boxer to represent Australia in the Olympic Games.
She said in an Instagram post, ‘Hijab is part of my religion and I have chosen to wear it and I am proud to wear it. You should not be asked to choose between your faith/religion or sport. French athletes are being forced to make this choice.