Sifan Hassan Celebrated as a 'Hero' for her Hijab Gesture

Sifan Hassan Celebrated as a Hero for her Hijab Gesture

Marathon winner Sifan Hassan has received praise for her subtle protest against France's hijab policy during the Olympic medal presentation in Paris. The Dutch athlete wore a maroon hijab while accepting her gold medal, a gesture seen as a critique of France’s ban on hijabs for female athletes at the games.

Her action was widely celebrated, with many calling her a hero. One person wrote on X, "Sifan Hassan wearing her hijab at the closing ceremony as she wins gold in France, where they’ve banned it… my queen." Another user commented, "Sifan Hassan getting her gold medal wearing a hijab in front of those who banned it in sports in France. ART AND POETRY."

The ban on hijabs in sports, defended by France as part of its secularism and opposition to religious symbols in public events, has faced significant criticism for targeting Muslim women unfairly. The Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation criticized the ban as conflicting with Olympic values of equality and inclusivity, while Amnesty International highlighted the exclusion of Muslim women from France’s gender equality and inclusivity efforts in sports.

Hassan also won bronze medals in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters before her marathon victory, describing the experience as a dream-like sprint to the finish. The Paris Olympics concluded with notable performances from Arab athletes, including Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who won gold despite facing gender-related controversy.