Muslim women in sport: ‘Slow progress’ on removing barriers

According to a new report, there has been “slow progress” in breaking down the “barriers and challenges” facing Muslim women participating in sport.

The report, released by England’s largest Muslim women’s sport organisation, the Muslimah Sports Association (MSA), found that 97% of British Muslim women surveyed wanted to increase their current participation in sport – yet 37% participate in no sport or other activity.

The research was conducted to identify the nationwide demand for Muslim women’s participation in sport and to examine the under-representation of Muslim women in sport and the barriers they face.

According to the report, participating in sport can help break down stereotypes and misconceptions about Muslim women.

Yashmin Harun, Chair and Founder of MSA, said: “The impact of the pandemic and successive lockdowns has been clear. It was evident that the physical activity and general well-being of women from different backgrounds had suffered.

“Research shows progress has been slow. The barriers and challenges Muslim women face are still the same as they were 15 years ago.

“Quite often, when we talk about sport for all, Muslim women stay on the sidelines of the conversation. The study shows that there is a high demand for Muslim women who want to be more active, but accessibility and opportunities are rare and safe spaces are not provided.”

The Muslim Women in Sport report stated:

According to the report, areas that prevent participation include: religious/cultural barriers, lack of women-only rooms or facilities, lack of modest athletic attire, and the potential for encountering discrimination, which may explain the interest high but low level of activity in physical activity.

The study also found that the lack of women-only spaces was a predominant barrier deterring women – 65% of respondents answered “no” when asked if they knew of women-only events, while 80% said they would likely attend women-only sporting events if they were available.

One woman who took part in the report said: “To come to a women-only swim lesson and be told there are male lifeguards – it defeats the whole purpose.”

The report states: “It is important to recognize that Muslim women are not a homogeneous group and come from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. They have different interpretations of their religious beliefs, and it is up to each individual to determine how to balance their religion and cultural values ​​with their desire to engage in sport.”

Under “Next Steps,” the report suggests: “Women-only sessions are a predominant and recurring theme in our findings, but not a solution per se, as highlighted by some of the quotes about male lifeguards at women-only swim sessions.”

“There are many nuances as to what constitutes a ‘pleasant environment’ for Muslim women, and there is scope to establish some principles for a better understanding of this for the sector as a whole.”

The report found that British Muslim women are also most interested in learning to swim or taking part in it, which was also the sport that presented the most challenges as women could not find “comfortable environments” in which to participate could participate.

“In order for Muslim women to participate fully in sport, we need to create environments where their aspirations for physical and sporting activity are not at odds with their religious commitment to modest dress and proper conduct,” said Ibtisam Belola, a Trustee of the MSA .

MSA hopes the report will help the sector encourage more Muslim women to take action. She also hopes it will stimulate open discussions on how to address unconscious prejudice and misunderstandings towards Muslim women.