Much has been made about American Musim fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad because she wears a hijab, as well as comments she recently made about the US.
An American Muslim fencer, who is the country’s first Olympian to wear a hijab, says she does not feel safe in the US due to the country’s increased anti-Muslim rhetoric.
Ibtihaj Muhammad, 30, is currently in Rio de Janeiro preparing to represent the US in sabre fencing. She is ranked eighth in the world and is gearing up for her first Olympics after missing the 2012 London games because of a hand injury.
While much has been reported of concerns over health and safety in the Brazilian city, Muhammad says she feels unsafe in the US.
“[I feel unsafe] all the time. I had someone follow me home from practice and try to report me to police,” she told the Daily Beast. “And this is right on 28th and 7th in New York City.
“I’m very vocal about these things because I want people to know I’m not a novelty, I’m not special in any way. I’m a woman who wears hijab and these are my experiences.”
And the fact she came in second place, behind swimmer Michael Phelps, to be flag bearer for the US team, something that riled some people – but not because of supposed anti-Muslim sentiment.
But coming in a close second to Phelps in the team’s vote was Ibtihaj Muhammad, a woman, an African-American and a Muslim to boot.
What could be better, some thought. Diversity, you know.
Leading the pack of naysayers was W. Kamau Bell, host of CNN’s “United Shades of America.” In a CNN op-ed, he described the swimming sensation as a “tall, successful, rich white guy” who clearly didn’t “need the honor.”
“With 22 Olympic medals, you are already the most decorated athlete in Olympic history,” he said.
But American fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad is a different story.
“Muhammad carrying the flag would be much bigger than your one moment,” Bell writes. “It would be a symbol for our country in this moment when we are mostly known for one of the most contentious, controversial, scandal-ridden, hateful, xenophobic, jingoistic, and just generally unlikable presidential elections in recent memory. This is at a time when we could use some more symbols of unity and togetherness.”
Bell referred to Muhammad as “a one-stop inclusion shop due to her race, sex and religion. Phelps, on the other hand was something else entirely.
“No offense, but right now America has enough tall, successful, rich white guys hogging the spotlight trying to make America great,” he said, in an obvious reference to Donald Trump.
Bell concluded by saying that Phelps’ stepping aside in favor of Muhammad was already a done deal.
“Again, thank you again for stepping aside for Ibtihaj Muhammad,” he wrote. “During these Olympics, you can win more medals to add to your all-time winning number of medals. But no medal will compare to making room for this.”
He was wrong on that one. Phelps carried the flag and led the delegation of American athletes at the opening ceremony.
I am sorry if she feels unsafe but I am sure it is not even close to how unsafe many others feel because of her co-coreligionists who are aiming for gold at the Terror Olympics.
Including Jews, who are also targeted verbally by Israel haters because we have the audacity to not lie down and die.
Something Muhammad is a part of, as her Israel-bashing tweets – which include falsehoods and libels – indicate (hat tip: Truth Revolt).
No-one deserves to feel unsafe or threatened. Not Muhammad, and not Jews and Israelis who, dare I say it, have more reason to feel this way.
And it is people like Muhammad who are contributing to this environment with their unrelenting hatred of Israel.
