N.C. State’s Jannah Eissa and UC Irvine’s Diaba Konate are bringing visibility and inspiration to some Muslim girls by carrying hjiabs whereas they play basketball.
They aren’t the primary girls to do it in NCAA Match play, however with file viewership and attendance they’re actually getting seen.
“Illustration actually issues,” stated Konate, whose crew misplaced within the first spherical of the event to Gonzaga. “Simply having individuals, younger Muslim girls carrying the hijab, we’re not there but. Simply seeing us play, I believe it makes me actually glad as a result of I used to have those that I used to be wanting as much as. Now having those that look as much as me makes me glad.”
Konate admires Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, who made NCAA historical past by being the primary to put on a hijab in faculty basketball when she performed for Memphis a decade in the past. Abdul-Qaadir was instrumental in getting FIBA, the Worldwide Basketball Federation, to overturn its personal ban on headgear in 2017.
Former UConn participant Batouly Camara, who was one of many first to put on a hijab in Spain’s LF1 league, has loved seeing Eissa and Konate signify their faith.
“It’s actually inspiring to witness these two Muslim athletes competing on the highest stage. This event serves as a major second, shining a highlight on one of the best groups concurrently with their religion,” stated Camara, who based the non-profit group Ladies And Children Empowerment (WAKE) in 2017. “It sends a robust message to ladies worldwide, affirming that they belong on the sports activities discipline, no matter financial class, race, tradition and extra.”
Konate began 31 of 32 video games for UC Irvine, averaging 7.5 factors and practically 4 assists. She moved to the U.S. from France after receiving a scholarship from Idaho State. She transferred to UC Irvine as a junior.
She’d like an opportunity to play in a hijab at house in France, the place she received two medals enjoying on their youth groups. However at the moment, the French Federation of Basketball prohibits the carrying of “any tools with a non secular or political connotation.”
“Being French and internet hosting the Olympics, it actually hurts to not be capable of be ourselves,” stated Konate, who first began carrying the hijab in 2020. “Hopefully, it modifications.”
Eissa and Konate have by no means met, however are conscious of one another.
“I simply know there’s one other lady carrying a hijab,” Eissa stated. “I simply noticed a put up about two days in the past. I used to be so glad there are different individuals.”
Eissa, who turned 18 in February, was a walk-on at N.C. State. She joined the crew after making an attempt out in September. She didn’t play a lot this season — showing in 11 video games and hitting one 3-pointer.
Earlier this season, a bunch of younger Muslim women got here to her sport. In addition they confirmed up a number of extra occasions to assist her.
“I’d like to say I used to be a job mannequin to them. By no means thought I could possibly be a job mannequin for somebody I didn’t know,” stated Eissa, who grew up in Cairo earlier than coming to N.C. State. “By no means knew one individual might make such an affect. They have been so younger women and women my age wanting as much as me and I used to be so glad.”
Eissa selected N.C. State as a result of her father obtained his PhD there and her two older sisters attend the college.
She stated when having a foul day or an off day, she’d keep in mind her younger followers and it could convey a smile.
“In the event that they see somebody giving them hope, I’m glad that I’m the individual to present it to them,” Eissa stated. “I wish to make it so far as I can for the picture of girls in hijabs.”
AP Sports activities Author Anne M. Peterson and freelancers Bob Sutton and Joshua Wright contributed to this report.
AP March Insanity bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket/ and protection: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness