This Muslim Teen Was Forced To Sit Out A Game For Wearing Her Hijab

High school junior Je’Nan Hayes is exceptional on the basketball court, and proudly wears her hijab as a part of her Muslim faith while she plays. However, after playing in her hijab all year, the student was suddenly forced to sit out her team’s first regional appearance because of it!

Je’Nan plays for Watkins Mill High School in Prince George’s County, MD, and her team worked hard to make it to the regional playoffs against Oxon Hill High School on March 3. She warmed up with her team, pledged allegiance to the American flag, and put her game face on for the match. 

However, right before the game, the head official told Je’Nan’s coach, Donita Adams, that Je’Nan wouldn’t be able to play because of her headscarf. “I didn't even want to look down at Je'Nan in that moment," Coach Adams said in an interview with The Washington Post.

It wasn’t until after the game in a crushing 51-36 loss to Oxon Hill that Coach Adams let Je’Nan know the real reason she hadn’t been able to play. The fact that Je’Nan wasn’t able to leave the bench because of her hijab was more heartbreaking than the loss. "I felt discriminated against, and I didn't feel good at all," she said. "If it was some reason like my shirt wasn't the right color or whatever, then I'd be like, 'Okay.' But because of my religion, it took it to a whole different level, and I just felt that it was not right at all."

So why, if Je’Nan had played all season with her headscarf with no issues, was she banned from playing in this off season game? Apparently, the ruling was technically in compliance with a rarely used rule in the National Federation of State High School Associations which requires students to present "documented evidence" that their head coverings are worn for religious reasons! SMH…really? Neither Je’Nan or Coach Adams even knew about that rule, and the coach was unable to get the Watkins Mill athletic director to reverse the decision.

This was an absolutely ridiculous decision, and even administrators in the county think so. "The officials of the game there took a strict interpretation of the rule, instead of the spirit of the rule," said Andy Warner, executive director of Maryland's governing body for high school athletics (MPSSAA). According to Prince George's County's athletic director, Earl Hawkins, "Everybody has apologized and that, if the situation happens again, we'll deal with it in a better fashion."

Yeah, this definitely could’ve been handled better! It’s like a slap in the face, like Je’Nan was just wearing this to make a fashion statement. To even require someone to PROVE their head coverings are faith-based is crazy, and needs to be revised. Now, she’ll always wonder if she and her team would’ve won if she was able to play! Sad SMH….