(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/28/2023) – The Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, and its Georgia chapter (CAIR-Georgia) today sent a letter calling on Switzerland-based United World Wrestling (UWW) to amend its official Uniform Guidelines to allow religious attire to be worn by athletes of all faiths in international events.
In that letter, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell and CAIR-GA Executive Director Murtaza Khwaja wrote in part:
“Basketball players, weightlifters, and footballers have all been invited into sport without having to set aside their faith. We ask [UWW] to be part of these examples of principled leadership. Doing so would reflect a trend of policy changes among athletic governing bodies and demonstrate that international wrestling is a sport for everyone.”
READ CAIR’S LETTER.
Reporting by The Huffington Post revealed that Jamilah, Latifah, and Zaynah McBryde withdrew from an opportunity to compete in international wrestling events, including the Pan-American Women’s Wrestling Championship, when participation in those events required the athletes to comply with the 2017 UWW Uniform Guidelines.
SEE: “Muslim Women Wrestlers Just Want To Compete — But They Can’t For An Arbitrary Reason” (HuffPost)
The Muslim women wrestlers were “…prohibited from participating in competitions and even forced to forfeit their wins,” as complying with the 2017 UWW Uniform Guidelines would have violate their sincerely held Islamic beliefs to dress modestly.
In a statement, CAIR-GA Deputy Director Azka Mahmood said:
“The McBryde sisters have shown time and again that they are skilled enough to represent the U.S. at the international level. It is unconscionable to prevent athletes from reaching their full potential simply because of their sincerely held religious beliefs. Coaches, teammates, and competitors alike have noted that modified uniforms do not give the McBryde sisters a competitive edge or pose any safety concerns. We urge UWW to revise its uniform policy to allow eligible and deserving Muslim athletes to compete in clothing that adheres to their religious beliefs, as several other sports governing authorities have done.”
The Buffalo News reported that Latifah McBryde requested a waiver for its singlet requirement from the United World Wrestling. UWW denied the request with the reason that it needs to be determined if the uniform accommodation would yield competitive disadvantages.
Ahmed Mohamed, former Legal Director at CAIR-NY, represented Latifah McBryde at the UWW and stated in the article that UWW’s refusal to grant an exemption “doesn’t make logical sense,” as the UWW allows a modified uniform in its women’s classic tournament. CAIR-NY helped start an online petition on Change.org in support of Latifah’s request with the UWW.
SEE: “A Muslim wrestler from Buffalo made the Pan-Am Championships. The uniform requirement kept her from participating” (The Buffalo News)
Washington, D.C., based CAIR has repeatedly supported the right of athletes to wear religious attire when they compete.
SEE: CAIR Applauds Utah Lawmakers for Passing Bill Allowing Religious Attire for Student Athletes
A Time Magazine article co-authored by Zainab Chaudry, Director of CAIR’s Office in Maryland, contended that wearing religious sports attire do not hinder athletic ability or safety, and provisions against the attire disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
SEE: “Hijabs and Turbans Are Not a Threat to Sports” (Time)
In 2017, CAIR welcomed the implementation of a ruling by the Switzerland-based International Basketball Federation (FIBA) that removed the ban on religious headgear and allows players who wear articles of faith — including the Islamic headscarf, or hijab, worn by Muslim female athletes — to participate in international competitions.
SEE: “CAIR Welcomes Implementation of New FIBA Policy Allowing Religious Headgear” (CAIR)
That year, CAIR welcomed a religious exemption granted to a teenage Muslim boxer in Minnesota who was previously barred from competition because she wore hijab.
Many international athletic organizations have modified their rules and policies to account for the various religious needs of participants. For example, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) lifted its respective bans on religious headgear, including hijabs.
SEE: “CAIR Welcomes Religious Exemption Granted for Minnesota Teenage Muslim Boxer’s Hijab” (CAIR)
SEE: “FIFA Lifts Ban on Head Covers” (Al Jazeera English)
In the past, CAIR helped a Muslim wrestler at the University at Buffalo in New York obtain a waiver from the NCAA to wear a beard he believes is required by his faith.
SEE: “CAIR Helps NY Muslim Wrestler Obtain NCAA Waiver for Beard” (CAIR)
In 2011, CAIR welcomed a decision by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) to modify its policy on competitor apparel to allow modest Islamic attire. The IWF policy change came following intervention by CAIR in the case of a Muslim weightlifter in Georgia who wished to compete while covering her hair, arms, and legs.
SEE: “Kulsoom Abdullah: Changing Policy” (CAIR)
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor, [email protected], 202-384-8857; CAIR-GA Executive Director Murtaza Khwaja, [email protected], 404-432-8847; CAIR-GA Deputy Director Azka Mahmoud, [email protected], 678-653-5822; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]