Haniyah Kousar, who coaches at Impact Fitness Academy in Birmingham, said the singlet exposed the full leg and arms, with the neck line also being too low.

To compete at United World Wrestling (UWW) competitions, including the Olympics, participants must comply with uniform guidelines, which require women to wear a singlet.

“Religiously, we can’t show that skin,” Ms Kousar said.

However, students at the Impact Wrestling Academy said the restrictions would not stop them from aiming to compete on a global stage.

Student Asia said: “I dream of representing team GB in the Olympics one day and the singlet will not stop me from trying.”

One woman who could not take part in the final Team USA trials for the Paris Olympics due to the UWW rules was Jamilah McBryde.

She said: “Even though we were denied the opportunity to compete in the Olympic trials… we’re still going to fight for the right to compete, not only for myself, but for my younger sisters, for all young girls [not just Muslims], all young women for who wearing the singlet doesn’t feel comfortable.”

McBryde surprised the young girls at the Birmingham club via Zoom during one of their lessons and shared her story to empower them to fight on.

Ms Kousar, who is believed to be the UK’s first ever Muslim female wrestling coach, trains up to 20 young girls at the Impact Fitness Academy.

Despite international uniform restrictions, Ms Kousar said rules were more relaxed for competitions under the British Wrestling Association.

On their website, they say: “In line with making the sport more accessible, competition wear requirements have been relaxed for all levels of competition within the control of British Wrestling.

“For National and Club level competitions tight tops and leggings can be worn under a traditional wrestling singlet.

“For lower-level competitions, the requirement for a singlet has been removed though wrestlers will need to be clearly identifiable as either red or blue.”

Source: BBC

In a historic ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice, MP Shabana Mahmood was sworn in as the first female Muslim Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom.

The Labour minister and Birmingham Ladywood MP, 43, swore her oath of office on the Quran during a ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London, marking a milestone in British history.

By law, the Lord Chancellor is the Secretary of State for Justice and the Minister of the Crown responsible for the administration of the courts and legal aid in England and Wales.

Presiding over the ceremony, Dame Sue Carr, the first female Chief Justice, highlighted the multiple historic elements of the occasion. She noted: “Today marks a ‘triple first’: the first Lord Chancellor to swear on the Quran, the first female Lord Chancellor, and the first time a female Chief Justice has sworn in a Lord Chancellor. These milestones represent the ongoing evolution of our constitution to mirror the society it serves.”

Ms Mahmood, known for her “shrewd advocacy and deep knowledge of professional ethics”, expressed gratitude and commitment. She reflected on her journey from a young girl in Small Heath, Birmingham, working in her parents’ corner shop to her current role.

“Being the ‘first’ is both a privilege and a burden. Getting this right can open doors for future generations, showing that even the oldest titles of the land are within reach for us all,” she stated. She also noted that she is the first Lord Chancellor who can speak Urdu.

The event was attended by prominent figures, including Law Society President Nick Emmerson and Bar Chair Sam Townend KC, who praised Ms Mahmood’s dedication to justice and anticipated her positive impact on the legal system.

Ms Mahmood pledged to continue “defending the international rule of law and upholding human rights” as she was sworn in at a ceremony in London. She also said that the judiciary must make decisions “without political pressure and undue influence”, pledging to be a “champion for the rule of law” during the event at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Source: Dawn

In her years playing competitive basketball on teams across London, Ont., Tala El Khodeir found that although her teammates were welcoming and inclusive, they didn’t quite understand her Muslim faith and its traditions.

“Being a Muslim athlete, you feel different with specific things like telling them ‘I’m fasting today’ or having to explain why I’m wearing a T-shirt under my jersey or letting them know when I have to pray,” said El Khodeir, 20.

“It’s simple things like that where it just feels like you’re not comfortable in your environment.”

It wasn’t until she joined the London Royals Basketball Club, created by a group of Muslim youths in the community, that El Khodeir “felt at home and as if she found her sisters.” That’s why she now coaches the girls team.

London Royals became certified with the Ontario Basketball Association (OBA) and Canada Basketball over the summer. The registered non-profit hosts weekly practices for its respective under-19 boys and girls teams at the London Muslim Mosque gym.

The club has and is open to players of all faiths and backgrounds, and offers subsidized pricing for low-income families. But its primary goal is to encourage more girls to take up the sport, said 23-year-old Hamdi Babeker, who co-founded the club in 2018.

Players pray together and during Ramadan, practices are scheduled for them to get home in time to break their fasts. Non-Muslim players on the team also get an opportunity to learn about the culture and everyone respects each other, said El Khodeir.

After establishing the basketball program, the club wants to branch out into other sports like soccer and volleyball, Habliza said.