Team Wrapped up in Headscarf Debate

December 9, 2007

Author: DANIEL MACISAAC

Source: Edmonton Sun

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2007/12/09/4715542-sun.html

Sixteen-year-old Sheena Alami calls the flap over Islamic hijab headscarves that has sidelined her Edmonton soccer team shocking.

"I was really disappointed that this whole issue was taking place in Canada because we're supposed to be a multicultural society accepting of different cultures and religions," she said yesterday.

The Alberta Soccer Association has temporarily banned Alami and her teammates on the Al-Ikhwat (Sisterhood) soccer team from playing until it makes a ruling on the safety of hijabs on the field.

Alami, a Grade 10 student at Harry Ainlay Composite High School and the daughter of Afghani immigrants, says she's worn a headscarf while playing soccer and basketball for years.