Breaking Barriers: Rehana Khalil – The Muslim Woman Making Waves in Basketball

Rehana Khalil is breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes as the only athlete to have represented a Great Britain basketball team while wearing a hijab. The 38-year-old plays and coaches in Manchester, where she takes charge of the under-12s programme for Manchester Mystics and plays for their senior team in the Women’s National Basketball League Division 1.

Khalil’s journey through the sport has not been without its challenges. At the beginning of her career, she did not wear a hijab, but in the early 2010s, she made the decision to start wearing one. However, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) had a ban on headgear, including religious headwear like hijabs. This ban was a deterrent for Khalil, who felt she couldn’t play basketball while adhering to her faith.

In 2017, FIBA lifted the ban, allowing players like Khalil to participate in the sport without having to choose between their faith and their passion for basketball. Khalil’s perseverance and dedication to the sport have not gone unnoticed, as she recently received Basketball England’s Inspiring Female of the Year award for the north west region.

Joe Forber, Manchester Mystics co-founder, and former Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero award-winner, described Khalil as a “role model” and praised her for being an example to others. Khalil’s success on the court and her commitment to educating the basketball community on different religious practices make her a trailblazer in the sport and a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes, regardless of their background or beliefs.