In and Out: Exploring Inclusion and Alienation within the Sport Experiences of Hijabi Athletes in Ontario by Asma Ahmed Abdin Khalil A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Graduate Department of Exercise Sciences University of Toronto © Copyright by Asma Ahmed Abdin Khalil 2018 In and Out: Exploring Inclusion and Alienation within the Sport Experiences of Hijabi Athletes in Ontario Asma Ahmed Abdin Khalil Master of Science Graduate Department of Exercise Sciences University of Toronto 2018 Abstract Western sport environments may create challenges for young Muslim women who choose to participate while adhering to their Islamic values and principles. In this way, participation in sport may serve to exclude young Muslim women when cultural and religious needs are not met. The purpose of this study was to explore how young Muslim women who wear the hijab experience inclusion or alienation due to their involvement in sport in Ontario. Data collection with seven Hijabi athletes consisted of semi-structured interviews and audio-diaries recorded over a one-month period to examine identity negotiation, social interactions with non-Muslim teammates and coaches, and the influence of broader discourses on the sport experiences of young Muslim women. Results pertained to solidarity as well as Islamophobic interactions with teammates, surveillance due to hypervisibility of the hijab, and behaviour modification. This research highlights the heterogeneity of Muslim women in Ontario and how they navigate sport experiences. ii Acknowledgements I am incredibly grateful for all the excitement, challenges and joy I have experienced these past two years. Alhamdulillah. I want to thank my wonderful research participants for the time and energy they put into this project. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know and learn from all of you. You inspire me. I also want to thank my supervisor and dear friend, Dr. Katherine Tamminen for supporting and always pushing me out of my comfort zone to think about things in a new way. I am so grateful for your passion and encouragement of this research study. To my committee members, Dr. Caroline Fusco and Dr. Simon Darnell, thank you for providing valuable insight and feedback throughout this process. I would also like to thank my external examiner, Dr. Elise Paradis for her thoughtful comments and suggestions. Finally, thank you to my friends and family for putting up with me throughout this process. Mama and Baba, I love and appreciate your constant support more than I can explain. Ielaf, Fatooma, Hamoodi and Mustafa, thank you for being the best siblings and sounding board a stressed out graduate student could ever ask for. I would never have gotten here without you. iii Table of Contents Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iv List of Appendices ........................................................................................................................ vii Chapter 1 Introduction and Literature Review ............................................................................... 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Literature Review ............................................................................................................................ 2 1.1 Islam and Sport ................................................................................................................... 2 1.1.1 Sex segregated environments .................................................................................. 3 1.2 Gender and Sport ................................................................................................................ 4 1.3 Hijab .................................................................................................................................... 4 1.3.1 Hijab in sport ........................................................................................................... 5 1.3.2 Hijab bans in sport .................................................................................................. 7 1.4 Islam in the West ................................................................................................................ 9 1.4.1 Orientalism ............................................................................................................ 10 1.4.2 Situating the Muslim woman in the West ............................................................. 11 1.5 Inclusion and Alienation ................................................................................................... 14 1.6 Identity .............................................................................................................................. 16 1.7 Social Support ................................................................................................................... 19 1.7.1 Young Muslim women and family support .......................................................... 21 1.7.2 Young Muslim women and social support from non-Muslim coaches/peers ....... 23 1.8 Research Objective ........................................................................................................... 25 Chapter 2 Methods ........................................................................................................................ 26 Methods .................................................................................................................................... 26 2.1 Paradigmatic Position ....................................................................................................... 26 2.2 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 26 iv 2.3 Interviews .......................................................................................................................... 27 2.4 Audio Diaries .................................................................................................................... 28 2.5 Data Analysis .................................................................................................................... 29 2.6 Reflexivity ......................................................................................................................... 30 2.6.1 Reflexive statement ............................................................................................... 31 2.7 Ethical Considerations ...................................................................................................... 33 Chapter 3 Community ................................................................................................................... 34 Overview .................................................................................................................................. 34 3.1 Participant Profiles ............................................................................................................ 34 3.1.1 Heterogeneity among Muslim women .................................................................. 38 3.2 Parents and Family ............................................................................................................ 39 3.2.1 Sport facilitating belonging in the Muslim community ........................................ 44 3.3 Coaches ............................................................................................................................. 45 3.4 Teammates ........................................................................................................................ 47 3.4.1 Supportive environment ........................................................................................ 47 3.4.2 Solidarity ............................................................................................................... 49 3.4.3 Social exclusion .................................................................................................... 50 3.4.4 Setting limits on relationships with teammates .................................................... 55 Chapter 4 Social Systems .............................................................................................................. 58 Overview .................................................................................................................................. 58 4.1 Surveillance ....................................................................................................................... 58 4.1.1 Surveillance in sport spaces .................................................................................. 60 4.1.2 Surveillance in the Muslim community ................................................................ 61 4.2 Representing More Than Yourself .................................................................................... 64 4.3 Performing Identity: Behaviour Modification in Muslim and Sport Spaces .................... 67 4.3.1 Performing “good Muslim” in sport spaces .......................................................... 68 v 4.3.2 Performing “athlete” in Muslim spaces ................................................................ 71 4.4 Out of Place