Challenging FIFA's Hijab ban

This weekend, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) are set to meet up at Bagshot, London.

Why is this important? Well, the IFAB, made up of FIFA as well as the English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish FAs, are the lawmakers of the game and are set to decide a number of issues, including substitutions and goal-line technology. But there is one important issue up for discussion which affects the Asian community which could have wider implications and that is to do with the wearing of the Hijab in football.

At the moment, Muslim women are banned from wearing headscarves while playing competitive football; this was decided by the IFAB back in 2007 on the grounds of safety. At the heart of the issue is that the ban has restricted the ability of Muslim women to play football across Britain, Europe, Asia, Africa and beyond.

The second issue is that potentially, any religious head covering could fall under the terms of the ban. Campaigners such as Football against Racism in Europe (FARE) and others believe the current ban and the issues of principle it raises (no religion in football), has a big impact on Asian communities and other minority groups. Potentially Sikhs, Rastafarians and Jews could also have their religious headwear banned on the grounds of safety.

The Football Association, along with the four other members of the IFAB each have a vote in deciding whether to lift the ban or not. With the FA promoting and actively encouraging diversity and minority groups to play the game, having such a ban in place goes against the principles of the slogan 'Football For All'.

The call for removing the ban has the support of international players' union FIFPro and FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, who is leading the campaign to change the law and allow Muslim women to wear the hijab during matches.

FIFPro spokeswoman Frederique Winia said,

"The current ban on wearing headscarves for religious reasons is discrimination."

The dispute was highlighted when Iran's women's team were forced to forfeit their London 2012 Olympic qualifying matches last year.

Prince Ali is set to make a presentation to IFAB members showing the hijab held in place by velcro rather than pins, thereby eliminating any safety concerns or dangers.

He is concerned that Muslim women could turn away from the sport if the law is not changed.

Arriving in London this week to attend the meeting, Prince Ali said,

"Women's football has come a long way, as we experienced in the last women's World Cup, and the present situation is saying to women worldwide that you're not allowed to participate for a reason that makes no sense. That's prejudice. It's not fair. It has to be dealt with. Long sleeves and leggings are already allowed. This is not an issue of religious symbolism -- it is simple a case of cultural modesty and I'm tackling this now because it is big issue for many, many women all across the world."

He added,

"I'd be very disappointed for the game if IFAB said 'no'. It's an issue which will not go away and I'm optimistic this will happen. If not there will be lot of soul-searching about what the priorities are in this sport. Everyone from the United Nations to the regional federations are supportive so I don't see what the problem is."

In the UK, Rimla Akhtar, chair of the Muslim Women's Sports Foundation (MWSF) work closely with the FA to address the issue of the hijab.

"We’ve been working with the FA to first make it clear to referees in this country that the hijab can be worn safely and so should not be a concern for them. We have done this by putting together guidance for referees with the FA and this has been used ever since the issue emerged. We have also been working with the FA to encourage them to be the leaders by setting the right example for the rest of the world."

She added,

"If we are given a chance to educate people and address their concerns it will allow for a more inclusive sporting world."

Campaigners are encouraging people to write to the respective heads of each FA, including FA chairman David Bernstein to call for a removal of the ban as well as contacting FIFA president Sepp Blatter to support his vice-president's call and remove the ban.

Zohaib Rashid