Recently, the IFAB overturned their ban on women playing soccer while wearing headscarves. Pending a few more tests, the ban will officially be repealed this summer.

The decision extends beyond the issue of how what women wear affects/effects the choices they are sometimes forced to make. From a global perspective it demonstrates that, despite all the failings that multiculturalism is claimed to have (and here we really have to thank Ms. Merkel and Mr. Sarkozy for pushing that point), we continue to move forward with the normalization of multi-faceted identities. There is no conflict, there is no “having to choose” between one identity and another: the IFAB has demonstrated that you can be a woman, you can express your religion, and you can play soccer. There is no need for panic regarding the “sharization of FIFA”: the amendment of Law 4 simply means that, if a female athlete chooses to wear a headscarf and play soccer, she can. The issue was about increasing access to “the global game”, not imposing values.

Unfortunately, some of the harshest criticism against women participating in sports while expressing their religious identity comes from within the communities many of these women who play come from. From a Middle Eastern perspective where, in several countries, female participation in sport is discouraged, limited, or outright banned, the IFAB’s decision means one more barrier to participation has been removed. Athletes are among the most visible representations of their nations: by removing the ban, I hope it will demonstrate to women that you can be an athlete without giving up your religious identity, despite what prevailing sentiments might lead them to believe. I hope this leads to greater participation and encouragement for participation in sport, particularly in countries within geographic proximity to Qatar, hosts of the 2022 World Cup. Ultimately, increasing the visibility of female athletes increases the visibility of women in and from these nations: images of female athletes forces those that would disagree to acknowledge that women are present, ubiquitous, and most importantly are citizens and equals.

A picture can be worth a thousand words; I’m hoping the attached will compensate for my limiting this essay to eight hundred. This picture, many that have appeared before, and I hope several more that will appear in the next few months, will ultimately normalize rather than sensationalize the issue of women from certain communities, regions and countries participating publicly in sports. It was taken at a charity event in Saudi Arabia, organized by young high school students, to raise funds (and awareness) for local victims of breast cancer. When I contacted one of these girls to ask if I could attend to take pictures, to document women playing soccer in Saudi Arabia in light of the repeal, they were graciously obliging. You’ll notice some of them are wearing headscarves: some of them wear it on a regular basis; others wore it just for this picture, to show solidarity and to thank FIFA and the IFAB for allowing fellow soccer players around the world the opportunity to play a sport they all share love for.

The girls in this picture are between 13 and 17, and represent many nationalities including American, Egyptian, Pakistani, Lebanese, Tanzanian, Saudi Arabian and New Zealander. Since this particular event took place in Saudi Arabia, I asked them if they wouldn’t mind taking a picture, as a group, with the Saudi flag. A flag unites a nation, a nation is made of citizens, and citizens often bust out their flags in moments of national pride. Having lived in Saudi Arabia, it has become part of their identity and they were happy to do so. However, I anticipate criticism of publishing such a picture (beyond the usual “Girls! Playing sports! Blasphemy!”) to include the fact that these girls do not represent what it currently means to be Saudi Arabian. The word “immigrant” continues to be taboo, as demonstrated by this recent article – although the law itself has much to commend it, you’ll notice the word choice is “expat” instead of refugee or even economic immigrant. I would hate to place such bright young women in a potentially controversial position, and of course having to explain to them why a picture of women, in soccer kits, with a Saudi flag is “unacceptable” to many.

Despite this, I look forward to printing that picture, framing it, and placing it on my desk. It represents to me the pride and joy of young girls participating in the ongoing creation of identities, and demonstrating national and civic pride. To end, I would like to thank the organizers and their school, and FIFA, the IFAB and Prince Ali (for his tireless campaigning). Great job ladies, keep playing. And happy birthday, Danya B.!

A.