US-based company becomes the first large sportswear brand to manufacture a performance hijab

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Nike has taken another step into the lucrative Islamic clothing market by unveiling a hijab designed for female Muslim athletes.

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.

The launch was also welcomed on social media.

✨ (@melaninist) Nike is launching a hijab collection line for Muslim female athletes. This is the future 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/tUwF2jXu7f

Aisha Baker Parnell (@bakedtheblog) This is the most amazing thing!! Imagine how comfy it's gonna be - better than those other scarf things hijabis have to wear now. https://t.co/QqPfR1FlUF

But some users argued the company was not doing anything particularly groundbreaking.

Fardousa (@Fardousie) Slightly torn- Sport hijabs have been around 4 awhile & I can't see anything special (expect the nike tick) about the design #NikeProHijab

Aaisha Dadi Patel (@aaishadadipatel) Most patronising. I've been wearing a scarf and exercising fine for years, just as small businesses have BEEN making scarves for activewear. https://t.co/BFpjn8jdCR

Footybedsheets (@_shireenahmed_) But before Nike, there were companies doing this work. @Capsters @Resporton_Hijab and @friniggi + more who have been doing this A LONG time.

Last summer, fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad of New York became the first Muslim American woman to compete for the United States wearing a hijab at the Olympics. She earned a bronze medal at the Rio Games.

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The U-17 Women’s World Cup last October in Jordan marked the first time Muslim players wore headscarves during a Fifa event. Football’s international governing body formally lifted a ban on head coverings in 2014, recognising Muslim and Sikh players.

Meanwhile, the governing body for basketball, Fiba, has come under fire for banning headscarves during international competition.

Nike has also been making a play for Muslim customers in the Middle East in recent years, opening stores in the region and launching a training app in Arabic.

The Islamic market is projected to be worth more than $5tr by 2020.

Associated Press contributed to this report