RantCrush Top 5: March 8, 2017

Nike has announced that it is creating a “high-performance hijab” that will be lightweight, breathable, and specially designed to allow female Muslim athletes who wear hijabs to perform at their best. Although some smaller brands have been making sports hijabs for a while, this is the first time a major sports brand designed a garment that is specifically aimed at Muslim women who wear hijabs. Allowing women to compete professionally in sports is a pretty new thing for many Muslim majority countries; Saudi Arabia sent its first female athletes to the 2012 London Olympics. Nike’s development of gear specifically for athletes in minority groups is a great step forward for inclusivity.

Last week, ISIS banned sportswear brand @Nike. Now Nike introduces new line of sports hijab for Muslim women. Go Nike. pic.twitter.com/ekrp8vhmpn

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) March 7, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.