Muslim Basketball Players Will Soon Be Allowed to Wear Hijabs

The International Basketball Federation, FIBA, has abolished rule 4.2.2., which prohibited the use of the traditional Islamic veil known as the hijab.

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After a review process that began on September 2014, the world governing basketball organization authorized the use of the veil on Thursday.

The new rule comes in response to the fact that traditional dress codes in certain countries were incompatible with previous FIBA regulations.

Beginning October 1, 2017, hijabs can be used in official FIBA competitions as long as it meets certain requirements determined by the organization. The colors of hijabs worn, for example, must either be white, black or the same color as the team's uniform, BuzzFeed News reported.

Prior to the decision by FIBA, rule 4.2.2 had indicated that the players "will not be able to wear helmets, hats, hair accessories or jewels," which also affected the use of traditional Islamic dress.

The controversial rule resulted in Qatar's womens' basketball team withdrawing from the Asian Games in South Korea in September 2014. Unable to wear their traditional Islamic headscarf, team members chose to forfeit their position in opposition to FIBA regulations.

The overturning of rule 4.2.2. will be ratified this Friday at FIBA's next official congress.