Nouhaila Benzina inspired Muslim women worldwide after she became first ever player to wear hijab at FIFA World Cup

Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina made history and became first player to wear hijab at FIFA World Cup while winning the match against South Korea by 1-0. The 25-year-old defender plays for AS FAR (Association’s Sports of Forces Armed Royal) and is the first player to wear head scarf on field at senior women’s international tournament. As per the information, FIFA banned hijab earlier for heath and safety reasons which later was lifted in 2014 before under 17 women’s world cup held in Jordon. Religious recognition has always been compromised because of external regulations, according to Sana. She is a firm believer in Islam religion and a major student in Information Technology.
Sana is not completely aware with the game but after watching Nouhaila on field, she was inspired to never disrespect any religion. She said, ‘Football is a very interesting game, I realized. I have never watched or played the game but my friends told me to watch this particular match. I watched Nouhaila Benzina playing against South Korea and she blew my mind away. She played with such dignity while representing Islam with no heaviness and all her attention was on game. She actually proved that we can achieve our dreams or can reach heights without disrespecting what you truly believe in, even if it does not sync.’
Sana resides in Chennai, India and ask Karnataka administration to function with stability. She also mentioned, internal issues should be administration’s priority before polishing the country externally. ‘Karnataka high court has not held the ban on hijab in educational institutions. Last year, people gathered in large number and protested against the decision. We are fighting for our own religion. It is a democratic country and every individual has the right to practice any religion. Then why people sitting at higher positions are amending such right accordingly. They say hijab is not an essential practice. Aren’t the followers should decide and no outsiders? It is very important to resolve internal issues and crisis before, rather than dealing with external subjects’ she said.
Sana started wearing hijab when she was 13 years old and is continuing since. She calls it a personal and religious choice with no tolerance to accept interference. She told EAT news, ‘I never wore it until I realized its importance. I never promote it or advise people to wear it but also demands otherwise. Hijab is seen as an abnormality among crowds. This is because of zero awareness. And this results into ban on women wearing hijab.’ In addition to her statement she said, ‘I have heard people saying they feel uncomfortable around hijabs. There have been instances where people have passed racist comments on such women. Despite all of it, I choose to follow my religion the way I want to.’ It is observed that impact of Islamophobic is severe on Muslim women especially on women wearing a visible religious symbol. According to European comparative report, countries like Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and United Kingdom, saw major impact in the field of employment and hate crime towards the women.
Sana agrees Islamophobia is not particularly in India but worldwide. Looking it from a bigger perspective, religious recognition should not be treated as an action of shame, she added. ‘Muslim women are playing wearing hijab at such huge tournaments and here we are stopped to wear them in schools and colleges’, according to Sana. In a statement given to ESPN by co-founder of the Muslim Women in Sports Network, Assmaah Helal said, ‘I have no doubt that more and more women and Muslim girls will look at Benzina and just really be inspired- not just the players, but I think decision makers, coaches’ other sports as well.’ Captain of winning team Morocco Ghizlane Chebbak said, ‘We are honored to be the first Arab country to take part in the Women’s World Cup. And we feel that we have to shoulder a big responsibility to give a good image, to show the achievements the Moroccan team has made’, as per ESPN.
Does majority and minority category play a big reason why Muslim women are facing discrimination worldwide? Gender inequality and islamophobia is affecting Muslim women’s worldwide, in Sana’s opinion. She said, ‘Well, in this male dominating world being a woman is itself a task. We all know the struggle we do everyday to meet our ends. Plus, when you are Muslim, people relate you with terrorism, bomb blasts, radicalization, conversion, all worst things. Nobody, think of Malala, Benazir Bhutto, Nouhaila or any other successful women who have proved people while respecting their religion. So yes, being a Muslim woman requires double strength.’
Nouhaila Benzina surely inspired millions of Muslim girls on her match day to have faith and believe as one day world will change for good and you will achieve what you are meant for.