While at the University of Memphis, Bilqis became the school’s third leading scorer, made the Dean’s List, and was named to the Conference-USA Women’s All-Academic Basketball Team. She graduated and transferred to Indiana State University for her 2013-14 redshirt senior season where she led the Sycamores in scoring with 14.2 points per game — winning Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year and being named MVC First Team All-Conference and Second Team Scholar-Athlete.


Along the way, she made history by becoming the first NCAA Division-I athlete to play in a basketball game while wearing hijab — covering her arms and legs with long sleeves, with a headscarf to cover her hair. For Abdul-Qaadir’s groundbreaking efforts, she was presented with the “Most Courageous” award by the United States Basketball Writers Association at the 2011 Final Four.

Her struggle:

Today, the same hijab that once brought Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir national acclaim has created a roadblock to her dream of playing professional basketball.

The sport’s international governing body, FIBA, has a rule prohibiting players from wearing headscarves on the court. As recently as 2009, FIBA defended the rule as one designed to prevent injuries as well as maintain a “religiously neutral” environment, identifying the hijab as a religious symbol. (FIBA has not, however, taken any action against religious tattoos, such as crosses.) More recently, the organization has backed away from the religious aspect and has upheld the rule on the grounds that headscarves are not part of the “official uniform.” 

 
In the meantime, Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir and any other Muslim woman who chooses to honor her religion by wearing hijab cannot play in FIBA tournaments (e.g. the Olympics, the World Championships, etc.) or in FIBA-affiliated pro leagues. The no-headscarves rule essentially bans Muslim women from playing international basketball.

In Her Own Words:

On the FIBA situation: “My goal is still to play professionally. Playing overseas is what I’m looking forward to. It’s hard because I feel like I’ve come really far and broken down some barriers as far as religion and basketball. Now that I’m finally at a place where I want to be, to find out I can’t play kind of sucks. It’s unfortunate. And not just for me, because there are going to be more Muslim young women after me that are going to be good at basketball, and you’re closing an opportunity to them.”

The Film Project:

Mustafa Davis and AMIN have teamed up to produce a short documentary about Sister Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir and her struggle to achieve her dreams in the face of opposition.  

Who is Mustafa Davis?

Mustafa Davis is an internationally renowned photographer and filmamaker with over 15 years of experience.  He has had his photography showcased in galleries and international exhibitions.  Mustafa teaches film and photography courses and workshops and is sought after by high profile clients such as US Department Of State, US Embassy Malaysia, US Embassy Singapore, US Embassy Indonesia, Arts Council England, MediaCorp, UiTM, Michigan University, University Of Southern California, UCLA, Rutger’s University and others. Mustafa’s work has been showcased internationally on BBC, MTV, PBS, iTV, Rotana, Al Risala, Abu Dhabi TV, Dubai TV, Channel 1 Yemen TV, IQRA, TV Sudan, MBC, Al Aqariyya, KBC, Dream, and at international film festivals, screenings and exhibitions.

What is AMIN?

AMIN (American Muslim Intercultural Network) is volunteer-driven, grass-roots, community-building organization based in Memphis, TN.  We focus on religious education, social engagement, and community service.  We are led by Brother Malik Shaw and Imam Hamzah Abdul-Malik.  We operate from a "third space" called the AMIN Center where "scholarship and activism meet."