NC State’s Jannah Eissa and UC Irvine’s Diaba Konate are bringing visibility and inspiration to some Muslim women by wearing hjiab while playing basketball.
They’re not the first women to do it in the NCAA tournament, but with record ratings and attendance, they’re sure to get noticed.
“Representation is really important,” said Konate, whose team lost to Gonzaga in the first round of the tournament. “Just having people, young Muslim women wearing headscarves, we’re not there yet. Just to see us compete, I think it makes me really happy because I had people that I looked up to. Now I have people to look up to. To me it makes me happy.”
Konat admires Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, who was the first person to wear a hijab in a college basketball game while playing for the University of Memphis a decade ago, creating a NCAA History. Abdul-Kader was instrumental in pushing FIBA to overturn its helmet ban in 2017.
Former UConn player Bartuli Camara, one of the first headscarves in Spain’s LF1 league, was happy to see Essa and Konate representing their religion.
“It is truly inspiring to witness these two Muslim athletes competing at the highest level. This game is an important moment that puts the best teams and their faith in the spotlight at the same time,” Kamara said. 2017. “It sends a powerful message to girls everywhere, affirming that they belong on the playing field regardless of economic class, race, culture, etc.”
Konate started 31 of 32 games at UC Irvine, averaging 7.5 points and nearly 4 assists. She moved to the United States from France after receiving a scholarship to Idaho State University. She transferred to UC Irvine her junior year.
She hopes to get a chance to compete in the hijab domestically in France, where she has won two medals with the French youth team. But currently, the French Basketball Federation prohibits the wearing of “any equipment with religious or political connotations.”
Conate, who first wore a headscarf in 2020, said: “It’s really painful as a French person, hosting the Olympics, not being able to be ourselves. Hopefully that will change.”
Isa and Konat have never met, but know each other.
“All I knew was that there was another woman wearing a hijab,” Aisa said. “I just saw a post about two days ago. I’m glad there are others.”
Elsa, who turns 18 in February, is a walk-on at North Carolina State University. She joined the team after a trial in September. She hasn’t played much this season – appearing in 11 games and hitting one three-pointer.
Earlier this season, a group of young Muslim girls came to watch her play. They also showed up multiple times to support her.
“I would say I’m a role model for them. It never occurred to me that I could be a role model to people I didn’t know,” said Aissa, who grew up in Cairo before coming to NC State. “Never knew one person could have such an impact.”
Elsa chose North Carolina State University because her father earned his doctorate there and her two sisters also attended the university.
She said when she has a bad day or an off day, she thinks of her young fans and it brings a smile to her face.
“If they see someone giving them hope, I’m glad I’m the one giving them hope,” Issa said. “I want to do my best to portray women who wear hijab.”
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