Rehana Khalil is the sole athlete to represent a Great Britain basketball team while wearing a hijab.
“If I think of basketball in England, there isn’t anybody else that I’ve seen who’s from a South Asian background, is Pakistani, is Muslim and wears a hijab,” she told The BBC.
Hailing from Manchester, she not only plays and coaches for the Manchester Mystics but also competes in the Women’s National Basketball League Division 1.
She also represents Great Britain’s over-35s team, set to compete in the European Championship this summer in Italy.
“I think I stand out because I don’t know any other female, Asian, Muslim basketball coaches or players, especially within Manchester,” Khalil says.
Despite her successes might make the journey look easy, her path through the sport has come with its own challenges.
“There was a time where within basketball, you weren’t allowed to wear a hijab and that obviously changed,” Khalil added.
Taking the decision to wear a hijab in early 2010s, she was shocked to discover she wasn’t allowed to play while wearing the Islamic attire which was banned by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
In 2017 FIBA lifted the ban, meaning players did not have to decide between faith and sport.
“People just want to be able to participate comfortably. I potentially would have come back earlier if that rule wasn’t in place,” she said.
Now, Khalil is helping to educate the basketball community on different religious practices.
Recently, she received Basketball England’s Inspiring Female of the Year award for the north west region.
Joe Forber, Manchester Mystics co-founder and former Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero award-winner, described Khalil as a “role model”.
“She is an example to people. Somebody that you can look up to, a role model, always teaches you things the right way and the award couldn’t go to a better person.”
SOURCE: https://aboutislam.net/muslim-issues/europe/breaking-barriers-rehana-khalil-stars-for-gb-basketball-team-with-hijab-and-talent/
