US state Maryland passes bill empowering hijab-wearing female athletes, others with faith-related head coverings

In a move empowering hijab-wearing female athletes and others with faith-related head coverings to play sports, the US state of Maryland has passed a law that will protect their rights without concerns of exclusion.

The bill, called the Inclusive Attire Act, passed with bipartisan support protects the rights of athletes who choose to dress modestly or wear religious articles of faith including the hijab, or Islamic headscarf, Sikh patka (religious hair wrap) and Jewish kippah(skullcap) while participating in sports.

The move has been warmly welcomed by Muslim activists.

The bill was prompted by the experience of Je'nan Hayes, who was banned for participating in a high school basketball game because of her hijab.

The bill saw a broad range of support from religious and secular organisations, including the Baltimore Jewish Council and the American Civil Liberties Union.

"Our take is very simple. Students should be able to compete," Zainab Chaudry, director at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Maryland, told The New Arab.

With more publicity, Chaudry hopes that people will become more aware of the precedent and see other states follow Maryland's lead.

This bill comes at a time when there is growing awareness of the discrimination faced by marginalised groups over their appearance.

The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair), a bill banning race-based hair discrimination by employers and housing authorities, has been passed in more than 15 states, and was passed by Congress earlier this year.

As for female athletes wearing the hijab, sportswear companies, such as Nike, Adidas and Under Armour, are offering increasing options for sports-friendly hijabs, taking away from the argument that a headscarf would slow down athletes.