Nike is receiving hate for their new product: an athletic hijab

Nike recently released their first sportswear accessory to accommodate Muslim athletes. The high-performance hijab was created to provide a new alternative for active Muslim women however, many people perceive this as normalizing the oppression of women. The product will come in three colors and include a patented, lightweight fabric to provide breathability. It will also have a long back to avoid being untucked.

The product has been tested by figure skater, Zahra Lari and weightlifter, Amna Al Haddad.

In an open letter to the Nike corporation Al Haddad stated, “It is a recent phenomenon where more women have expressed a need for it and more professional athletes have fought for rights to compete with a headscarf, and have an equal playing field.” She also expressed the hope that more Muslim women will “pursue sports professionally” after the release of the Nike hijab.

Sarah Hobbi, senior who wears a hijab daily,  said “I honestly think this is so exciting.” “I feel this opens a door to so many more doors of opportunity. So I see this as a first step towards the right direction.”

Many customers have expressed rage towards their new marketing strategy, others are trying to boycott Nike.

A former customer brought her anger to twitter by saying, “Nike cashing in on the subjugation, domination, and oppression of women… I will never buy another Nike product again.”

However, Nike is not the first sportswear company to sell athletic hijabi; Asiya, Capsters, and Artizara are well-known companies to provide this type of athletic-wear. Nike’s Hijab is rumored to cost between $15-$45 and will not be released until 2018.