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The significance of the hijab head scarf

As Lipa explains, the head scarf part of the hijab is a sign that a woman or girl is Muslim, just as a Christian might wear a cross. It’s compulsory for girls and boys to wear them (different styles for boys and girls) from the time they go through puberty but as Lipa acknowledges, girls and women seem to attract more (negative) attention for wearing theirs. Lipa’s parents didn’t make her wear one straightaway: they allowed her to do her own research, ask questions, educate herself before committing to the head scarf. “It’s about modesty and being comfortable in your own skin. It’s about being empowered.”

Discrimination against the hijab

Discrimination in sport happens for many reasons and Lipa has been a victim too due to her hijab. She remembers that older, male non-Muslim football coaches struggled with her head scarf and even blamed it for her missing header goal opportunities. At another team, however, a university student male coach was completely different – accepting and allowing Lipa to be herself in the team.

Lipa recounts a visit to a school in Bethnal Green, east London. Bethnal Green has a large Bangladeshi population but the girls at the school explained that they’d been told to remove their hijabs before PE lessons. Lipa’s jaw had dropped open at this news: she felt saddened for the girls and angry at the school for its oppressive ways. The school said it was for health and safety reasons but Lipa believes that there were other options, least of all giving the girls a choice. “Every girl deserves a choice.”

Lipa’s love of football

Lipa started playing football as a little girl after receiving a ball branded with characters from the ‘Tweenies’ cartoon. That ball alongside other sporty and active characters from children’s TV (Josie Jump from ‘Ballamory’ and Sporticus from ‘Lazy Town’ – remember them?) and sport frequently on TV at home was Lipa’s inspiration to be active and play football.

Her male cousins were her footy teammates when they gathered for Eid and at school, she played football with the boys, identifying at an early age that boys were more active than girls. Teachers suggested she play with a hula hoop or skipping rope over a football but the rebellious activist responded and she brought in her own football instead.

Lipa faced cultural barriers alongside the usual barriers that many girls face. Her extended family would query why she wanted to be playing outside, running around and shouldn’t she be behaving more modestly? Lipa’s response? “I don’t care. I don’t want to be like you when I grow up.”

At her super-sporty (lacrosse, Aussie rule football anyone?) middle school there wasn’t a girls’ football team and so she made one happen. At high school, despite not feeling comfortable playing with ‘the lads’ anymore, her talent was identified during a PE lesson: PE teachers were amazed at her natural ability and encouraged her to find a club. She signed a semi-professional contract aged 15 and her sporting career as a player and activist began.