At 14-4, the Salam Stars, an all female (and all Muslim) high school basketball team has, according to the Washington Post, “entered this week’s sectionals still as underdogs but having showed that being Muslim and crushing it on the court is as normal as apple pie. As the only Muslim team in the league, and sometimes the first Muslims whom people outside Milwaukee see when the team plays away games, the Stars are tasked with responsibilities that go beyond playing defense well or taking care of the ball.”
“We just have to keep a level head,” says team captain Safiya Schaub, 17. “Because of what we are wearing we represent more than our school. We represent the Muslim community in Milwaukee, maybe in the U.S. We have that level of responsibility on our shoulders.”
When Athletic Director Dave Petrick first proposed an all-girls basketball team for the Islamic high school, parents were concerned about the athletic uniform so Petrick petitioned the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) to allow the team to play in hijabs and sweatpants. Wajdi Ismail’s daughter, Jenin, plays forward and says at first he was reticent about allowing his daughter to play, but soon acquiesced when the team was permitted to dress modestly. “I went with it,” says Mr. Ismail. “And thank God I went with it. It changed my life… I’m happy she found what she wants.”
Head coach Kassidi Macak tells her girls that it’s bigger than just a game. “You’re doing something super important. I don’t think you realize you’re changing the opinions of people who have never seen a Muslim person before. That’s a big deal.”
