Maplewood Olympic Fencer, Muslim, Raises $16K To Bring Family To Brazil

Maplewood, NJ - It’s easy to support a family member when their sports event is within driving distance. But when you’re trying to get to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, things get a little more difficult.

That’s why Maplewood native Ibtihaj Muhammad - America's first hijab-wearing Olympian – launched an online fundraising campaign to help bring her family to this summer's Olympic Games.

“The United States Olympic Team does not give financial support to athletes’ families to travel to the games,” Muhammad states on the fundraiser website, explaining why she started the campaign.

• See related article: Meet the 31 Olympic Athletes From New Jersey

Almost 600 supporters contributed more than $16,000 towards the effort, which may just give the Olympian the psychological edge that she needs to take home a gold medal.

“Ibtihaj's family is a large part of her support system,” the campaign states. “Not just her biological family, but the family that is the community. The support of the community has been unwavering throughout Ibtihaj’s career. We, her family, appreciate everyone who has helped make Ibtihaj’s Olympic dreams come true.”

In April, Muhammad – an observant Muslim - was named as one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” for 2016 after she announced that she’d be the first American Olympian to compete wearing a hijab.

• See related article: Maplewood Fencer, Muslim Named To Time's '100 Most Influential' List

“I think my motto is that sports is something you can do in hijab, and you shouldn’t let your faith compromise how athletically gifted you become,” the future Olympian told Patch in 2011.“Just like race or gender, religion should not hinder you from achieving your goals.”

• See related article: In Fencer’s Hijab...Struggle and Inspiration
• See related article: Maplewood Muslim Fencer Asked To Remove Hijab For ID Photo: South By Southwest

Video: FIE Fencing Channel

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