Opinion: Hijab and Sports

As the London Olympics 2012 kicked off a couple of days ago, many were anticipating the opening ceremony, the different sporting events and watching their favorite athletes in action.

But there is one incident that has sparked a lot of discussion, the 16-year-old Saudi female Judo fighter, Wojdan Shaherkani, who has been asked to remove her hijab to meet "the principles and spirit of Judo."

That comment was shocking, and what was further shocking is the recent tweets by some who said that the Saudi females who were competing in the Olympics are "whores," adding fuel to the fire. 

Ruqaya Al Ghasara

I am not one to discuss politics or religion, but in this instance, I would like to focus on the heart of the problem and solutions. 

Only in the past few years, there have been Muslim female athletes who come out publicly to compete and participate while wearing the Hijab. In 2004, sprinter Ruqaya Al Ghasara was the first Muslim woman to compete in the Olympics wearing a hijab. Also, last year, Kulsoom Abdullah (who has become a very good friend of mine), won a battle to wear a hijab while competing in a weightlifting meet. Also recently, FIFA has lifted a five-year-old ban on hijab for soccer players.

Kulsoom Abdullah

There is a perception that wearing of the hijab while doing sports to be deemed as "dangerous and unsafe" as proposed by the media and decision makers. Yet, not once I read a report about a Muslim female athlete being injured from practicing any sport while wearing the Hijab. So where does this idea come from that it is dangerous? I would say ignorance.

The topic of wearing the Islamic headscarf is important, but I would say the media is making it a bigger deal than it should be or is. If a problem has been identified, then half of the problem is solved. But in this instance, it seems to growing to become a bigger issue. As a Muslim athlete who wears the hijab in training and competition while in mixed environment, I think it is important for me to highlight the issue and my experience.

The only reason why I have come out publicly about participating in sports is because I was inspired by Kulsoom's story. Her story gave me hope that it is possible to hold on to your religion, beliefs, and still practice a sport you love. 

Not once while I was training, thus far, where my safety was at risk because of the hijab. If anything, I would say the sport - whatever it may be - is more likely to put your safety at risk than a headscarf.

One thing that needs to be addressed is the lack of availability and accessibility of sports hijab. Given the phenomena is only recent, it is not a surprise that there aren't many designs or access to such a product. Although, surprisingly, it is more readily available in the US and Canada, and not so much in the The Arab world, Middle East, or GCC. I wonder why? Well, the tweets that the Saudi Muslim female athletes are "whores" is one explanation. A real Muslim, wouldn't even say that about a sister in Islam.

In this part of the world, there are some people who still believe that women place belongs only at home, unfortunately, and view sports as a "man-only" activity, neglecting the benefits of being active and sport - forget male or female - but on human beings.

But that's slowly changing. There are men, sometimes more than women, who are supportive of female athletes in the region, show support, and even work toward educating and empowering women.

One thing that people are failing to see in this situation regarding the battle between hijab and sport is a solution. For instance, in the case of Saudi Judo fighter, did you know that there is a hijab specifically designed for Muslim Judo fighters? It's called ResportOn. The head cover is more of a tight hoodie , so any form of movements won't allow the head cover to fall. 

Wearing a headscarf while practicing sports does not take or add to an athlete performance. So saying that the Saudi female judo fighter should take her hijab off to meet the principles of the sport is, excuse me, nothing but utter bullshit.

In my opinion, there needs to be more Muslim covered female athletes to support the movement toward equal rights in participation in sports without any obstacles such as the wearing of the headscarf. There needs to be more accessible sports hijab worldwide to encourage more covered athletes to take part in sport, either for leisure or as a career. There is a need for more to be done by decision makers to allow Muslim female athletes a chance and a choice to compete in their hijab. There needs to be more successful stories like the sprinter, the weightlifter, and the soccer players situation. We need to show the world, that we can still hold on to our religion, modest clothing, whilst proving ourselves and our growing talent in sport. 

I have said this before, and I will say it again:

Sports is like our emotions. Sports doesn't see race, nationality, gender, religion, ethnicity, age, or color. It's you and how good you are as an athlete. 

That's all that matters.



*Get in touch on twitter and/or Facebook. 

My Ramadan 2012: Training and Nutrition

Today I came across THIS article on people being hospitalized from stomach pains after their first meal (iftar) after a fast during Ramadan.

Reading such news saddens me as people more often than not neglect the essence of what Ramadan is. Yes, you've fasted for more than half a day, it doesn't mean when it's feeding time you attack the food in front of you.

To those who don't know, Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic Calendar where Muslims all over the world fast from dawn to dusk. In this holy month, we observe a complete fast from drinking (water, juice..etc.), food, sexual activities (those married), bad acts and talk during the daily fast. We work toward being better Muslims, learn discipline, pray more and last but not least, feel for the poor.

The reason why I am writing this post is because I want to share with you my experience this Ramadan, how I am training, eating, compared to previous years, and hopefully you can pick a thing or two tips which you can follow for the remaining weeks of Ramadan.

Before I move forward, HERE is an article I wrote last year on training in Ramadan, titled "Exercising during Ramadan: Weightlifting and Cardio". And if you wait a few days, I have written article to a local sports paper that will have updated information on training and nutrition in Ramadan. Hopefully it will be published soon.

This is my third year training in Ramadan, so to a degree I had different Ramadan experiences and have learned a lot from each. I can confidently say that this Ramadan, by far, even though we are only one week in, has been the best so far from many aspects.

• Energy levels
• Digestion
• Training sessions
• Weight management

Some may say it is too early to tell. Hm. Maybe so. But I have been tuned with my body and the way it reacts with a lot of things in the past years, and I can assure you the routine that I have been following so far has been quite effective, for me. Also unlike last year, this year, I am an athlete and nutrition matters a tad bit more than it did before.

As a starter, earlier this year I have found out that I am intolerant to gluten and dairy. It has been a tough time to come in terms with the fact I *should* be off foods that contain both. Have I been? Periodically, yes. All the time? Not really.

In 2011 and 2010, majority of how I have been eating was based on the above mentioned food items, so things from pasta, cheese, bread, milk, yoghurt...and the list goes on. They made up I would say 70% of my diet. Comparing the way I felt having eaten those foods last year, with how I am eating this year, I can see a huge difference.

• No dizzy spells
• No irregular heart beats (I faced a lot of that) 
• No indigestion issues 
• No abdominal pain
• No lack of energy during daytime and nighttime. 

So, what have I been eating, you must wonder! Well, for one, I haven't changed my diet to a large degree from how I used to eat during normal days. On average, I would be having either 2 or 3 meals in Ramadan, depending on the time I get the chance to train due to availability and accessibility.

Most of what I eat is high in protein, high in good fats, and good carb sources or those that I am not intolerant to such as, fruits, veggies, rice, potatoes, corn and some legumes. 

• Protein sources: Meat, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs (if you're not intolerant to them)
• Good fat sources: Avocados, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, coconut milk, all kind of nuts
• Carb sources:  Veggies, fruits, rice - brown being better -, sweet potato or potato, oatmeal.

This is NOT SAYING I don't have a few bites of the things I like at Iftar or Sahoor (pre-dawn meal, before the fast begins again). 90% of what I currently eat is what I mentioned above, with 10% being from things like gaimat and harees, traditional Emirati food, as well as few other sweets. However, I preserve majority of the sweet, sugary stuff for post-workout when they can be utilized better as spiking your insulin levels post workout has shown to increase protein absorption, excuse to eat ice-cream, but you didn't hear that here. Nope.

As for my training, I always believed and still strongly believe that training post Iftar is optimal and training pre-Iftar, while you're fasting can be detrimental. Maybe I am biased because I believe strength and muscle mass are far more superior to doing steady cardio. HERE is a great article by a well-known and respected strength and conditioning coach, Charles Poliquin on the negatives on Areobic training. You still want to walk on a treadmill? I hope not.

At the moment I train a few hours after iftar, to allow the food to digest and have time to hydrate. Lack of hydration can cause a lot of health problems. Hence all I think about after breaking my fast, is hydrate the heck out of your body!

Although it's been just a week of Ramadan, I have already got two new personal records, one of them being the first day of Ramadan with a 91.5kgsx6 deadlift and one yesterday with a 48.5kgsx3 front squat. Some say you lose strength in Ramadan, I beg to differ.

So what is it that is working for me? Below is one example of how I have eaten and trained in the past week of this Ramadan. 


Sahoor: Salmon, rocket salad with avocado, corn, and olives with 5 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (YES, I have that many!) and balsamic vinegar. 

This meal helps keep my hunger at bay during daytime as eating high fat and high protein food are slow digesting and keep you feeling full longer as opposed to simple carbohydrates. 

Iftar: 500ml of water + chicken skewers, avocado, potatoes, few gaimat nibbles. 

After Iftar I immediately take my "super supplements", which are: 5000IU of Vitamin D, Omega-3 (either 1 or 2g), and Green Superfood (sometimes I drink it after water, rather post-meal). Don't do this unless you consult a doctor.

Snack: Before training I drink coffee (with coconut milk, no sugar) and a fruit.

  

Train at 10pm 

  

Post workout meal is not always consistent, sometimes I'd eat tuna mixed with olives or have an actual meal rice with chicken, based on time + magnesium.  I have stopped drinking whey or protein shakes since last year.

Sahoor: Cycle starts again with where I consume again another meat and veggies/salad source.

Water:  I drink at least 2.5-3L during the feeding window.

So yup, there is no secret to making the best gains or losing fat in Ramadan. Following a simple nutrition diet and training regime, and you're good to go. Neither will have an effect on your worship during the holy month with proper planning and dedication. There is a saying, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. 

Ramadan is not yet over, so I hope you picked a tip or two from my experience that will benefit you in your either nutrition or training. 

Feel free to leave comments ;) 

Yours truly,