Hijab-Wearing Oakland County Athlete on Cover of Women's Running Magazine

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI - Female athletes in hijab are becoming a little more commonplace. We watched American fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad make history as the first hijab-wearing American to compete, and medal, in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. And now a Farmington Hills woman is making history as the first runner featured on the cover of a national fitness magazine in hijab.

Rahaf Khatib, who has run several marathons, has only been running for about four years. The stay-at-home mother of three wanted an outlet to stay healthy and make new friends, she told a Metro Detroit television station.

It all started because she wrote a comment on Women's Running magazine's Facebook page in July. "I said, 'you know, it would be great if you can feature my community of runners.' They instantly replied back and they were so welcoming." The cover story about her appears in the October issue.

Khatib was born in Damascus, Syria and immigrated to the United States in the 1980s with her parents. She is passionate about motivating other Muslim women to run — and dispelling common misunderstandings about her religion and covering, she told the magazine.

“A common misconception is that I’m being forced to cover,” Khatib says, explaining that the practice of wearing a hijab means “following my religion, not my husband.” She adds, “It helps me hold on to my faith.”

The magazine photo shoot took place in Detroit. In an effort to give the story a true Motor City feel, they shot near Tiger Stadium, Dequindre Cut, the River Walk and more—logging 10,000-plus steps on their fitness trackers.

"I didn't start running to speak about my community. I just went out for a run. That's all I did," she explained to WXYZ. "There are so many stereotypes, unfortunately in this negative atmosphere, so I definitely want to inspire them, both Muslims and non-Muslims."

Khatib has run several marathons and even got her husband and kids into running. She has an Instagram account named "Run Like a Hijabi" and now, with this new fame, she hopes to motivate people around the world.
"Runners are runners at the end, no matter your shape, size, race or religion. We all crossing the same finish lines."
The October issue of Women's Running is on newsstands now.