However, her joy quickly turned into disappointment when she couldn’t find her name among her high school classmates on the results list.
Abukaram was shocked to learn that she had been disqualified from something she’d done as a Muslim-athlete: wearing a hijab.
Abukaram, who recalled the October 2019 race in Ohio in which her team from Sylvania Nordview, suburban Toledo, qualified for the Ohio regional championships, said that “my worst nightmare just came true.”
The Ohio High School Athletic Association bans head coverings and caps at the time, unless religious exemption waivers are obtained in advance. Abukaram’s coach admitted that he made a mistake in not obtaining a waiver, but said that he didn’t believe it was necessary because it hadn’t been an issue at previous races.
National attention has been paid to Abukaram’s story and the efforts to prevent similar incidents elsewhere. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSHSA) announced last year that it would no longer needstate approval for soccer and volleyball players to wear religious headwear during games.
The same rule change was approved by the association for track and field, basketball, softball and field hockey later in the year. All head coverings had to be approved by the state athletic association.
Abukaram was disqualified in Ohio by her cousin. It didn’t take long for the world to learn of her disqualification via a viral Facebook post. Her plight was soon picked up by state senator Theresa Gavarone of Bowling Green, who was outraged by the girl’s treatment.
Roman Catholic Gavarone recalled her son’s experience as a hockey and lacrosse player. He was allowed to wear a Christian Cross under his pads, as long as it was taped to his chest. The senator stated that her anger at Abukaram’s circumstances triggered her “inner Hockey Mom”.
Gavarone stated that no student athlete should have to choose between their religious beliefs or the sport they love.
Gavarone’s original bill to protect such beliefs was killed in 2020. However, the rules of the high school athletic association had been changed to allow referees to approve religious head coverings by coaches prior, and without a formal waiver.
Tim Stried, OHSAA director of media relations, stated that “for decades, that waiver had just being a normal process, of head coverings for medical reasons, religious or cultural, it was just part of the sport.”
Stried stated that Abukaram’s disqualification prompted officials at the organisation to question the necessity for the advanced waiver.
He said, “Why would we put the waiver there if that’s normal to wear it?” It led to some changes pretty quickly.
Gavarone hoped that such attention would resolve the issue. In spring 2020, Abukaram was wrongly asked for a waiver to compete in the 1600-meter relay at track races. Although she was allowed to compete, she was afraid it would happen again so she contacted Gavarone.
Abukaram stated, “We must reintroduce these because clearly rules can change and once discriminatory policies have been put in place, people will continue to enact them.”
The bill was introduced again by Gavarone in May 2021. With broad bipartisan support, the House and Senate passed the legislation this year. Gov. Mike DeWine approved the legislation in February.
Abukaram is now a freshman at Ohio State, studying fashion design and the sports industry. She is also a runner. Not only was she encouraged by the bipartisan support, but also the backing of other religious groups like Christians and Jews.
Abukaram stated, “It was almost a given that what happened to me was discrimination. Religious freedom is something everyone can agree on.”
