When Nouhaila Benzina stepped onto the field for Morocco’s first match of the Women’s World Cup against Germany, she made history.
She became the first player to wear the Islamic headscarf at the senior-level Women’s World Cup.
Had Morocco qualified for the Women’s World Cup a decade ago, a player who wanted to wear the hijab during a game might have been forced to choose between faith and football.
That was until 2014, when head coverings were officially authorised by FIFA.
Who is Nouhaila Benzina?
She’s a 25-year-old defender on Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses.
In recent weeks, Benzina shared social media posts from others about the history-making nature of her World Cup appearance.
“Lots of work was done over many years, and thank God it had a positive result,” Benzina told Al Jazeera.
“We hope to play at a high level and honour Moroccans.”
‘That could be me’
Morocco are one of eight teams making their debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup this year, alongside Haiti, The Republic of Ireland, Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, Vietnam and Zambia.
“We are honoured to be the first Arab country to take part in the Women’s World Cup,” Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak said on Sunday.
“Girls will look at Benzina (and think) ‘That could be me,’” said Assmaah Helal, a co-founder of the Muslim Women in Sports Network said of the hijab.
“Also the policymakers, the decision-makers, the administrators will say, ‘We need to do more in our country to create these accepting and open and inclusive spaces for women and girls to participate in the game.’”
Why did FIFA ban the hijab before?
FIFA cited “health and safety” concerns, some related to possible choking, with regulations forbidding “equipment that is dangerous to himself or another player.”
An incident in 2007 instigated the official ban.
Canadian girl Asmahan Mansour — who was 11 years old at the time — attempted to wear a headscarf at a tournament but the referee said it wasn’t permitted.
She was told she could remove it and play, but her hijab would not be permitted on the pitch.
When the issue reached FIFA, the sport’s global governing body banned head coverings in competitions it sanctioned, except for coverings that exposed the neck.
Initially, FIFA cited “religious symbolism” as a reason for not permitting head coverings.
But considering the multitude of tattoos, signing of the cross and goal celebrations by footballers, it became too difficult to enforce.
Helal was among the social activists, Muslim athletes, and government and soccer officials who worked to overturn the ban.
Speaking on the 2007 ban, Helal said it “sent a strong message to Muslim women, particularly those who wear hijabs, (that) we don’t belong.”
A two-year trial was granted
In 2012, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) allowed players to wear head coverings at international competitions over a two-year period following a request from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
No senior-level World Cups, men’s or women’s, were scheduled during the trial period.
Ban on head coverings lifted in 2014
In March 2014, FIFA lifted its ban on head coverings.
The decision was announced at a meeting of International Football Association Board in Zurich.
FIFA’s then secretary general Jérôme Valcke said hijabs and turbans were permitted on the field.
“It was decided that female players can cover their heads to play,” he said.
“Male players can play with head covers too.
“It will be a basic head cover and the colour should be the same as the team jersey.”
Helal said that since the ban was lifted, she has seen an increase in Muslim girls and women playing soccer, pursuing coaching pathways and leading their own football clubs.
“I think it’s key to understand that the hijab is an essential part of a Muslim woman, should she choose to wear it,” Helal said.
“It’s actually part of our identities.”
A Melbourne resident who attended Morocco’s public practice session last week, Maryan Hagi-Hashi, said she is supporting the Atlas Lionesses alongside tournament co-host Australia.
She appreciates the representation that the Moroccan team and Benzina provide, she said.
“There’s a mixture of (Muslim) women that wear hijab and don’t wear a hijab,” Hagi-Hashi said.
“I think the world has realised there is diversity.”
Two years after the ban was lifted, the under-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan marked the first time Muslim players wore headscarves during an international FIFA event.
ABC with wires
source/content: abc.net.au / ABC News / (headline edited)
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pix: instagram.com/benzinanouhaila
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