Rio 2016: Meet Ibtihaj Muhammad USA's First Muslim Olympian |PoliFocus ib

Ibtihaj Muhammad is preparing for the"defining moment" in her life - becoming Team USA's first female Muslim Olympian.

"In this particular political climate in the history of this country, it is groundbreaking to have a Muslim woman on the US team," Muhammad tells BBC Sport."


I am excited to challenge the stereotypes and misconceptions people have about Muslim women. I want to show people that we can not only be on any Olympic team, but on the US Olympic team which is the strongest of the world's teams.

"Many feel politics and sport is a murky combination and should never mix, but Muhammad is more than happy to give her views on both subjects."

As a global community, we have to work harder to change our current situation. It is an unhealthy one," she says.

There were a spate of attacks in the US and Europe last month witheight American police officers shot deadin two separate incidents in revenge attacks for the killing of young black men by police.

In France, 84 people were killed when a lorry ploughed into a large crowd in Nice on Bastille Day, while a priest was killed after two armed men stormed his church in a suburb of Rouen.

Responsibility for both attacks was claimed by so-called Islamic State.In Germany, 10 people died and dozens injured in separate gun, bomb, axe and machete attacks.

What is causing the "unhealthy situation" she refers to?"A lot of it is misunderstanding," adds Muhammad, who was born and raised in New Jersey. "Misunderstanding of religion, of what different societies need in order to thrive."

The problems have been going on for so long and it feels like it is coming to a head. In these moments, you become thankful that the sound of gunshots or bombs are not a normal part of your life."

I see what sport has done for me as an American, growing up in middle-class America. When I consider other individuals who are not asfortunate as I am, whether that is access to clean drinking water, or access to education, I think that sport has the ability to change lives."

If I can be a source of inspiration to not just Muslim youth, but to other kids who have been told they don't belong because they were different... if I can encourage women to be active, then that is a positive thing."

Related Posts Widget