Ibtihaj Muhammad Speaks Out On Life in America

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Even though Ibtihaj Muhammad has yet to make her Olympic debut, she is already making a huge impact. She will be competing on Monday, August 8th at 9:00 AM and then again on Saturday, August 13th at 8:00 AM. For now, that’s all the information on the events Muhammad will be participating in.

As a Muslim woman, Muhammad is known for wearing her hijab while she is competing. She has previously spoken up about what the hijab means to her and having to remove it for an ID photo for SXSW. She hasn’t been extremely vocal about the fear she has about life in the United States.

Many would assume that athletes would feel unsafe while in Rio. With all the controversy surrounding the games, it is expected but Muhammad spoke about feeling unsafe in the United States. When asked if she felt unsafe in Rio, she referred back to America telling the Daily Beast, “[I feel unsafe] all the time. I had someone follow me home from practice and try to report me to police and this is right on 28th and 7th in New York City.” If an actual Olympic athlete can’t walk around on the street with a hijab without feeling unsafe, then there’s a problem.

She continued on saying her hijab does not define her and she is just an average American woman, “I’m very vocal about these things because I want people to know I’m not a novelty, I’m not special in any way, I’m a woman who wears hijab and these are my experiences.” It has been very insulting to Muhammad as a person because all people can focus on her hijab instead of seeing her as a person.

While it might not matter much now, Muhammad came in second place in the vote for carrying the U.S. flag for the Opening Ceremony.  Michael Phelps would be the one to carry it. Hopefully Ibtihaj Muhammad is successful in her Olympic run and finally gets the respect she deserves.