Muslim women are breaking boundaries and shattering glass ceilings all over the world. But they don’t always get the limelight for the plethora of positive contributions they make.

We know women who follow the Islamic faith are not a monolith and no one person can truly represent them.

So we decided to speak to a few representing their community in a bunch of different industries and let them do the talking.

We spoke to women doing stand-up comedy, dancing in hijab, playing basketball, and entering the modelling world.


Asma Elbadawi, basketballer, Sudan/UK

(Picture: Asma Elbadawi)

How did you get into basketball?

I started playing at university BUC leagues. Then continued playing locally when I finished university. I gained relevant coaching qualifications and coached in different countries like Sudan, where I’m from.



Tell us about your team

I play with a group called the Women in Sports Foundation. The reason we have the team is because we campaigned to allow Muslim women to be able to wear the hijab while playing basketball professionally.

The International Basketball Federation wasn’t allowing headscarves as an old rule but in 2017 the ban was lifted. Now Muslim women can compete at all levels.

(Picture: Asma Elbadawi)

What’s been a highlight of your athletic career?

Making history as a collective to lift the ban was a highlight. I never thought I’d be playing in a hijab at that point, I didn’t think it would come into effect in my time. I was doing it for future generations.

What struggles did you face as a Muslim woman playing basketball?

One of the issues that Muslims face is when teams want to socialise around alcohol which is important to bond, and when it comes to sports you need to bond.

But Muslims don’t drink, so a lot of girls don’t feel like they belong and end up leaving.

Tight or revealing clothing can also stop Muslim women from taking part, [such as] in gymnastics, there’s not usually uniform that’s suitable.

Asma is also a keen photographer and visual artist (Picture: Asma Elbadawi)

Why is representation in sports important?

It’s important because when younger girls see other women who look like them, facing the same battles as them and thriving, it makes them feel like they’re able to as well.

Sadia Azmat, comedian, UK

Sadia plays London gigs with material on race and religion (Picture: Shehla Bling/Sadia Azmat)

How did you get into stand-up?

I love to laugh, and I find comedy is so freeing as it relies on being honest – the cold, harsh truth. I always cracked jokes and found myself writing them.

A chance meeting with a comedian made me put my money where my mouth is and I ended up doing my first gig. It went really well and here I am now!

Who are your influences?

American comedians are my ultimate favourites: Chris Rock, Richard Pryor, Dave Chappelle, Bill Hicks, and Sam Kinison.

(Picture: Shehla Bling/Sadia Azmat)

What struggles do you face as a Muslim woman in the industry?

My material isn’t what one would expect from my appearance and so sometimes audiences are a little cautious about laughing as they don’t want to seem as though they’re being racist… but I remind them it’s okay to laugh at jokes.

Why is representation important in the comedy industry?

Comedy is a wonderful mechanism of creating joy, understanding and healing. It affords us the power of informing without any obligation on the the audience’s part to have to agree – it’s just about letting go.



Representation is crucial so it fosters normalisation of less represented voices and helps break down barriers.

Engy El Shazly, ballerina, Egypt

Engy is thought to be Egypt’s first veiled ballerina (Picture: Jimmy Photography/Facebook)

When did you get interested in ballet?

It was my dream since I was 11 years old to be a ballerina. At the age of 27, I found a school that was teaching adults who are beginners in ballet.

So I asked them to join wearing hijab and they agreed. Now, I’m an assistant ballet teacher, I’ve worked with professional teachers in Egypt and UAE.

She got into ballet at a later age, at 27 years old(Picture: Jimmy Photography/Facebook)

Are there any difficulties dancing while Muslim?

It’s not difficult being Muslim and dancing ballet, actually here in my country there is no problem doing so.

I received a lot of positive comments saying I’m an inspiration and asking how it’s possible to dance in hijab.

What do you hope for the future?

My goal is to open my own school.

Hamdia Ahmed, model, USA

Hamdia lived in a refugee camp like fellow Somali model Halima Aden (Picture: Hamdia Ahmed)

Tell us about yourself

I was born during the Somali civil war. I lived in a refugee camp located in Kenya since I was seven years old. It was really hard living in a refugee camp, but we were thankful for everything we had. We made the best of the situation we were in.

What struggles did you face when you first wanted to become a model?

My family supported my dreams. They knew that I wanted to become a model since I was young.

They are supportive of me as long as I am respecting myself, and not changing who I am in order to fit in with everyone else in the modelling industry. Wearing a hijab and covering myself, and education is something I truly value.

She now wants to be signed up by an agency and eventually work in the UN (Picture: Hamdia Ahmed)

What struggles did you face within the modelling world?

I have been denied by agencies mostly because I wear a hijab. Now that the modelling industry is becoming more diverse, I hope to get signed by an agency soon.


Why is representation so important in the modelling industry?

Because we shouldn’t change who we are to fit in. Everyone deserves to have someone who they can look up to that looks like them. Without representation people will feel like they are not being heard or seen.

Do you get compared to Somali model Halima Aden?

Halima is such a beautiful, kind girl. We both grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya. We both have similar stories, and are models. We both know the struggles of living in a refugee camp, and coming to a new country.

Stephanie Kurlow, ballet dancer, Australia

Stephanie converted to Islam with her family in 2010 (Picture: Stephanie Kurlow)

How did you get into dance?

My mum put me into a ballet class when I was two years old.

What’s difficult about being a Muslim dancer?

Being accepted by others. It’s hard for people to accept someone that doesn’t conform to the norm but I try to change people’s perceptions about Muslims and to make them see the amazing things we can contribute to this world.

The dancer from Australia is often credited as being the first hijabi ballerina(Picture: Stephanie Kurlow)

How does everyone receive you wearing the hijab when you dance?

Everyone has their own opinion. I have people who support me and people who have very negative things to say but I overwhelmingly receive a lot of positivity and support.

What are some of your career highlights?

As I am still a student, I still have a lot to learn and experience but some highlights were going to Indonesia to speak at the Resonation Women’s Empowerment Conference, and receiving a scholarship to the Royal Danish Ballet Summer School.

What goals do you have for your future?

My dream is to become a professional ballerina in a ballet company and later open a performing arts school that caters to people of all religions, races and backgrounds so that everyone has the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

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