Footballer, 16, hopes campaign to let girls wear hijabs during PE grows

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Umme Kalsoom launched the campaign alongside friends in 2021 because she felt “vulnerable” when expected to take off her hijab during school sports sessions at Marsden Heights Community College, in Lancashire, and she wanted others to feel comfortable. In a short film directed by Alina Akbar in partnership with creative agency Youth Beyond Borders, Aurora Media and Fifa+, Ms Hussain said: “I wanted Umme and the girls to feel like they were supported by the school. “It’s something that’s quite close to my heart as well, being a Muslim teacher and being someone that the girls felt comfortable to approach to speak about it.” Umme has held talks with members of Lancashire County Council and said she was struck by the attention her campaign has achieved, adding: “I didn’t know it would go this far.” She said other young Muslim girls have since sought advice, which makes her feel “great to be the leader of this campaign” and she hopes it has a nationwide appeal since it aims to “break down the barriers for girls to play football everywhere they exist”. “It was so inspiring to see them get themselves to the final of the Women’s Euro and win the trophy.” Umme said she likes how “inclusive” football can be: “It’s really inclusive and really powerful because you play with people with different abilities and from different backgrounds, so it brings people together and it makes them more confident.” FBB has launched a GoFundMe to raise £100,000 to support 100 girls through its football programme in time for the Women’s World Cup, which can be accessed via: gofundme.com/f/100-days-to-change-the-game.