More changes and forward progress over at the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation) this month. All female competitors will now be allowed to wear a headscarf, or hijab, worn by some practicing Islamic women. This rules decission comes after more than a years worth of petitioning, prompting, and the sumbission of several pieces of evidence by female competitors and coaches from the United Arab Emirents that the headscarf is in no way a danger or hazard to competitors.
Jiu Jitsu has really taken hold and is spreading in the UAE and this move should only serve to help it to grow so that more women can enjoy and participate in our martial art. Just as many other professional competitive sports such as Taekwondo, Weight lifting, and FIFA soccer, have lifted restrictions on headgear to permit the wearing of headscarfs so has Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.