Hina Mirza likes to think of the Sisterhood Softball League as a Field of Dreams-like story in Mississauga.

Since 2016, it has given Muslim women the opportunity to play softball in a safe environment.

“When anyone steps out of their comfort zone to do anything, all they need is support and safety,” said Mirza, who co-founded the league along with her best friend, Maryam Dadabhoy, after they saw how much fun their husbands were having playing in a church league.

“If you can create that for anyone, it’s going to have such a profound impact.”

Certain accommodations are in place to make sure the women feel safe playing. While the women usually wear long robes or head scarves, those types of clothing can be modified on the diamond so they can move around better. As well, the league encourages only female spectators so the participants feel comfortable playing.

The women play every Sunday throughout the summer. Mirza believes one of the staples in the league is the time between games women spend praying before listening to a motivational talk from Mirza about faith and how they can contribute to their community.

“I think all the women really enjoy that five or 10 minutes of grounding on that Sunday morning,” she said.

When the Sisterhood Softball League started, Mirza said she and Dadabhoy had to “beg and pry” just to get 20 players, barely over the minimum needed to play a game.

Over time, it has grown to 100 players on eight teams. The league recently had its first all-star game and raised $12,000 for Human Concern International, enough to build four water wells in support of the organization’s Water Well Campaign.

In the past, the SSL has also raised funds to support a women’s shelter. Players have also volunteered at local food banks and soup kitchens as a way to give back to their community.

“It started out with just wanting to play softball, but it’s grown into so much more. It’s about the friendships we’ve cultivated, the support group and positivity,” Dadabhoy said. “Sisterhood comes first.”

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