N.J.'s Ibtihaj Muhammad Makes Olympic History: 1st To Wear Hijab

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County’s own Olympic fencing maven may have been defeated in her bid for a Women's Individual Saber medal on Monday, but Ibtihaj Muhammad has already made her way into the record books as the first Olympic athlete to wear a hijab while competing.

The Maplewood resident defeated the Ukraine’s Olena Kravatska to advance from the first round, but lost to France’s Cecilia Berder in round two. But during both matches, Muhammad - a practicing Muslim - wore a hijab, a traditional religious garment that covers the head and chest.

Muhammad will still have a chance to help the U.S. Women's Saber Team capture the gold when it competes on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro.

In April, Muhammad was named as one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” for 2016.

• 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

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