“Because I Am Muslim, I Cannot Wear a Swimsuit”

Abstract

Drawing on the works of postcolonial critical feminist and Arab Muslim feminist scholars, we discuss in this paper how 4 muslim girls (ages 14- 17 years) negotiated their participation in opportunities for physical activity. Data collection methods included self mapping questionnaires, digital photos, private journal entries, and recordings of informal conversations. We discuss (a) how three discursive challenges emerged in veiling-off opportunities for physical activity, and (b) how the girls uncovered alternative ways of being physically active. To promote active life practices with muslim girls, we need to (a) navigate the diversity of young muslims within the intersecting discourses in their lives that potentially challenge their participation in physical activities, and (b) honor young muslims' choices while negotiating their chances of maintaining physical activities.

Centralising space: the physical education and physical activity experiences of South Asian, Muslim girls

“…At times these boundaries can shape some of the girls' physical activity opportunities 526 as seen in previous studies (Kay, 2006, Hamzeh andOliver, 2012). For Noreen,…”

“…Muslim women and girls and the meaning and place of PE and physical activity in 42 their lives (Hamzeh andOliver, 2012, Jiwani andRail, 2010, Knez, Macdonald and43 4 Abbott, 2012, Walseth, 2013 begins to challenge the pathologisation of Muslim women and girls that has been 48 perpetuated through the media and some of the early research in this area (Carroll 49 and Hollinshead, 1993). Indeed, this early work has been critiqued for viewing 50 Muslim communities through a deficit framework, with religion often cited as being 51 restrictive and the reason behind women's and girls' lack of PE and physical activity 52 involvement (Siraj-Blatchford, 1993).…”

“…it is only recently that scholars have begun to recognise their usefulness in PE and 175 physical activity (Azzarito, 2010, Hamzeh and Oliver, 2012, Walseth, 2013 (Gore, 1998, Webb andMacdonald, 2007 contestation over representation and practice, and the establishment of hierarchies.…”

Being Young, Muslim, and Female: Youth Perspectives on the Intersection of Religious and Gender Identities

“…Further, Muslim girls may navigate pressures from other Muslims. For example, a study of four Muslim females explored how they reconciled participation in sports given cultural norms that portray public athleticism as immodest (Hamzeh & Oliver, 2012). While girls may be congratulated on the transition menarche marks, within Islam menstruation labels females ritually impure, a status the young Muslims experience physically, religiously, and symbolically.…”

“…Families, communities, and schools may bolster youth by providing them opportunities to author counter narratives to marginalizing experiences. Finally, in an attempt to create "religiously responsive" policies, some accommodations may inadvertently exclude or discourage girls from competing in sports (Hamzeh & Oliver, 2012). Diverse stakeholders, including the youth themselves, could provide creative alternatives, document feedback, and share best practices.…”