Clearly believing there is a strong potential market among female Muslim athletes, Oregon-based sportswear giant Nike has begun offering a hijab designed for sports.
From the Guardian
“The product, which has been in development for a year, was tested by athletes including figure skater Zahra Lari.
The pull-on hijab is made of light, stretchy fabric that includes tiny holes for breathability and an elongated back so it will not come untucked. It will come in three colours: black, grey and obsidian and goes on sale in 2018.
Lari, a hopeful for the Winter Olympics next year in Pyeongchang, South Korea, posted photos of herself wearing the hijab on her Instagram page. Lari is from Abu Dhabi and represents the United Arab Emirates.
“Can’t believe this is finally here!!” she wrote.”
Responses haven’t been universally positive though; with commenters pointing out that this is hardly a new invention, but a large multi-national corporation moving into an existing market.
Others object to the hijab itself as an oppressive symbol, regardless of the individual agency of those who might choose to wear one.
And others just see Western capitalism getting rich at Muslim’s expense.
top image: Figure skater Zahra Lari model wears Nike’s new hijab. Photograph: Vivienne Balla/AP