instagram: Breaking Boundaries with Olympic Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad This post is part of our #Beyond
instagram:Breaking Boundaries with Olympic Fencer Ibtihaj MuhammadThis post is part of our #BeyondTheGames series, which spotlights inspiring women athletes in the Instagram community who are telling their Olympic story. To learn more about Ibtihaj, follow @ibtihajmuhammad on Instagram.Ibtihaj Muhammad (@ibtihajmuhammad) will be the first American Olympian to compete while wearing a hijab. “I’m showing Muslim women in a different light,” says the 30-year-old fencer, who was born and raised in Maplewood, New Jersey. “It challenges ideas of Muslim women being oppressed and not having a voice.” After growing up with role models like Muhammad Ali and Serena Williams, she’s relishing the chance to be one herself. “What’s phenomenal about children is that they’re not thinking in stereotypes of religion or gender. They just want to talk about sword-fighting.” Ibtihaj is busy making appearances and working on her fashion line, Louella, but mostly she’s focused on Rio. “No matter what happens, the Muslim community will be happy for me. And being an American, you have this sense of pride, wearing the stars and stripes.” -- source link
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