Religion or her dream? This basketball player was about to make one of the hardest decisions in her life. It would either be her career path and her hobby or her religion. In the end, the choice was obvious.
This woman was born in Massachusetts and had always dreamed about being a basketball player since she first played the sport. She has a fiery passion and an undefeatable spirit which she used to take victory after victory, title after title, and to this day, she holds the high school career scoring record in the state among both boys and girls. She was also the first woman to wear a hijab while playing NCAA Division I basketball.
However, just as she started her career, everything changed. She was informed that she was no longer able to play due to religious reasons. Because she wore her hijab, she wasn't able to pursue her dream. So either she would have to give up her dream. or give up her faith. This was a difficult time for her and she was torn between keeping her hijab or following her dream. After some time, she finally decided. She would maintain her faith and protest against the law that said that they weren't allowed to wear their hijabs. After a few long years, she was finally able to change the rule. However, by this time, this woman was no longer able to play nationally as she was too old to do so. She was down but she tried looking at the bright side of things. She changed lives for other Muslim women around the world who couldn't play because of their hijabs. And not only Muslims benefited. It also helped other people whose religions also request that they cover their hair.
After doing this, she decided to help Muslim girls by teaching them to play basketball. This is actually how I met this inspirational woman. In fourth grade, I had gone to a private school for Muslims. She happened to be our P.E teacher there for a while, shortly after she began her coaching career. And that was my first experience playing basketball. This is also how I learned her story.
Today, I still look up to this woman for doing what many others failed to do and for doing so much for sports players today. During the few weeks that I knew her, she was an inspiration for me to never give up on my faith. Because of what she did, no one else will have to face what she did. No one will be forced to choose between playing the sport and following their dream or their religion. I may never actually play a sport professionally and never be directly affected by what she changed, but I will always remember her story and never forget what she did.
