French Hijab Ban Sparks Outrage Among Egyptian Volleyball Players
The Egyptian women’s beach volleyball team has criticized the host of the 2024 Olympics for banning the hijab after competing in a fixture at the tournament.
The Egyptian representatives, Marwa Abdelhady and Dua al-Ghobashi, were at the Paris Olympics wearing hijabs, long black long-sleeved shirts and black ankle-length leggings during the women’s beach volleyball match against Spain
However, if she was playing for France, she would not be allowed to wear the hijab.
France has banned its athletes from wearing any “obvious religious symbols” during competition.
Swedish affiliate, Expressen, Abdelhady criticised France for banning the hijab for French athletes.
Additionally, Al-Ghobashi expressed frustration at not giving French athletes the freedom to wear whatever they wanted.
“I want to play in my hijab, she wants to play in a bikini,” Expressen reported Al Ghobashi as saying. “Everything is fine, if you want to be naked or wear a hijab. Just respect all different cultures and religions,” she said.
I don’t ask you to wear hijab and you don’t ask me to wear bikini. No one can tell me how to dress. This is a free country, everyone should be allowed to do what they want.”
Earlier in January 2022, the French Senate voted in favor of banning the wearing of hijabs and other “visible religious symbols” at sporting events.
Earlier, in September, it was confirmed that the ban would also apply to French athletes competing at the Paris Olympics, when French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra said the country had “a strict secularism”. is pro-government, which will be strictly enforced.”
In this respect, Elghobashy initiated playing beach volleyball in modest attire.
The 26-year-old made her debut back in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro after the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) gave her last-minute permission to wear the head covering while playing.
Additionally, speaking in an interview last year, the athlete said that “the hijab is part of me”.
What is the main issue discussed in the blog?
The blog discusses the criticism from the Egyptian women’s beach volleyball team regarding the ban on hijabs for French athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
What are the athletes’ concerns regarding the hijab ban?
Abdelhady and Al-Ghobashi expressed concerns about the lack of freedom for French athletes to wear hijabs, criticizing the ban as a violation of personal and religious freedom.
What broader message do Abdelhady and Al-Ghobashi convey in their criticism?
Abdelhady and Al-Ghobashi convey a broader message of advocating for personal freedom, cultural respect, and the right for athletes to choose their attire based on their beliefs and preferences.
How has the hijab ban affected French athletes?
The blog mentions that French athletes are not allowed to wear hijabs due to the ban, but does not provide specific examples of how individual athletes have been affected.
How did Abdelhady and Al-Ghobashi perform in their match against Spain?
The blog does not provide specific details about the performance of Abdelhady and Al-Ghobashi in their match against Spain.
When did Al-Ghobashi start playing beach volleyball in modest attire?
Al-Ghobashi began playing beach volleyball in modest attire in 2016, after receiving permission from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) to wear a hijab.
What was Al-Ghobashi’s perspective on the issue?
Al-Ghobashi emphasized the importance of respecting different cultures and religions, stating that athletes should have the freedom to choose their attire, whether it be a hijab or a bikini.
How did the French government justify the hijab ban?
French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra stated that the ban is in line with the country’s strict secularism, which will be strictly enforced at the Paris Olympics , and France has banned athletes from wearing any “obvious religious symbols” during competition, citing a commitment to strict secularism.
