Rimla Akhtar: fighting the stereotype of muslim women

Rimla Akhtar has been used to breaking stereotypes over the past decade or so. She was part of a team which set up the Muslim Women's Sports Foundation, aiming to raise awareness of the issues Muslim face in sport. But the MWSF also takes a proactive step by directly producing and implementing the solutions. Back in 2009, the organisation was given over £230,000 by the Football Foundation to commence a project called 'Born to Succeed', encouraging women in all areas of sport including playing, coaching, refereeing and volunteering.

Rimla has made it her mission to develop and showcase role models for Muslim women across the world, creating ambassadors in the process. She has sat on a number of advisory boards at the Football Association and at other organisations. The belief in what they are doing has led to the MWSF to organise and host the inaugural Ambassador Awards at Wembley Stadium in April.

But one of the big issues that the organisation faces is to educate people about the hijab. There have been a number of stories over the past couple of years about Muslim women being put off sport because of a ban on the wearing of the headscarf in football. Rimla says there are many misconceptions about the hijab, one she is educating the authorities.

She said,

"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,

"We are aware that FIFA Vice President Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein is eager to support the reversal of the ban by FIFA and are working with the FA to make this happen. If we are given a chance to educate people and address their concerns it’ll allow for a more inclusive sporting world."

Being the voice of an underrepresented community, Rimla has relished the responsibility of being a spokesperson for Muslim women in sport. But she credits others in the organisation, such as Ayesha Abdeen, who has been part of the MWSF since the inception.

"When one is put forward as a representative for the various areas of the community of which they are a part, it is a huge responsibility and I see my role as Chair of the MWSF, the peripheral positions that I hold and the work that I do as a responsibility that I have been given to make a change on behalf of those who are often overlooked, feel isolated and do not have a voice. I hope that my efforts so far and those to come have done and will continue to do justice to these women."