A Visual Celebration of Muslim Women Athletes
Because their wins matter as much as their challenges
BY EMAN MOHAMMED AND SHANNON MELERO
As the fanfare of the 2024 Olympics winds down and athletes make their way back from Paris, we all settle into reality. No more marathon rugby matches, no more Snoop Dogg talking about horses, and no more eyes of the world peering at France and discussing the country’s Islamophobic ban on French competitors wearing hijab.
But for hijabi athletes and Muslims the world over, this is not a once-every-four-years conversation, it’s everyday life. There are an estimated three million Muslim people living in France, for instance, and the country’s total ban on headscarves in “secular”—including but not limited to athletic—settings is a reminder of the limited space that Muslim women are allowed to occupy in sports.
And yet, they are there, not on the edges as inspirational stories of marginalized people beating the odds, but in the center. In the gym, on the track, in the weight room. Competitors, athletes, whole beings who only come to our notice when the global spotlight points at them, as when fencer Ibtihaj Mohammed won big in the 2016 Olympics. “But there’s more than just Ibtihaj out there,” Eman Mohammed says. Eman is a Palestinian photojournalist who has spent the last two years traveling the U.S. on and off to photograph Muslim women athletes in their day to day lives.
Mohammed’s work captures the joy and tenacity of these sportswomen. “It’s uncanny that those who often speak at length about the oppression of Muslim women are not as quick to celebrate their accomplishments and victories in the sports arena,” she notes. “True advocacy for Muslim women athletes means recognizing and celebrating their successes with the same vigor with which we discuss their obstacles.”
Her collection of photos, a gorgeous and caring glimpse into the lives of women training to be the best in their field, is a moving reminder of what we miss when we fail to look beyond what someone does (or doesn’t) wear on their head.
Aya Elsekhely – Track and Field
Aya Elsekhely grew up in predominantly white Clark Township NJ. “Running reaffirms my strength and place in this world,” she says. A track athlete in college, where she ran the 400 meter hurdles, 800 meter, and the heptathlon, Elsekhely had a baby eighteen months ago. She’s now returned to marathon running.
Noor Kabbani – Powerlifting
Noor Kabbani is a competitive powerlifter and a boxing coach in Virginia. Kabbani’s journey in powerlifting turned professional during the pandemic, where she competed in statewide competitions and ranked among the top ten competitors. Noor says she plans to continue competing in weightlifting until she’s 70 and is working toward qualifying for world competitions.
Subreen Dari, weightlifting
Subreen Dari, a full-time nurse and mom in Ohio, is also a weightlifter and was the first woman to represent Palestine at an international weightlifting competition in 2022. She currently has her sights set on qualifying for the 2028 Olympics.
Zahra Khan, climbing
Zahra Khan, a nurse in Seattle, balances her professional commitments with her passion for rock climbing, a sport that serves as both a physical outlet and a mental respite from her demanding healthcare career. Her recent V9 climb—a grade that marks high difficulty—stands as a testament to her skill and tenacity. “Climbing is more than reaching the top; it’s about the journey of overcoming,” she says. “I climb to challenge myself and to inspire others who might doubt their place in this sport.”
Sana Abubaker, basketball
Sana Abubaker discovered her passion for basketball in middle school and now coaches young athletes. She emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment, and says the encouragement from her own team and coach made a significant difference: “Seeing a crowd cheer for you is uplifting, but having a team and a coach who support you no matter what is transformative.”
Aprar Hassan, karate
Aprar Hassan, 22, has been mastering the art of karate since the age of three and has gone on to become a national karate champion, winning a gold medal in Florida. “Karate is not just a sport to me; it’s a platform to affirm my identity and capabilities,” Hassan says.
ABOUT EMAN MOHAMMED
Eman Mohammed is an award-winning Palestinian photojournalist from Gaza and Senior TED fellow. Her work has been featured in Le Monde, VICE, The Washington Post, The Atlantic and more.