By
Edwin Eriye
Alexandria Abukaram, a junior at Sylvania Northview High School in Ohio, knew something was wrong when she looked up at the board at the district cross country and saw that her name and time for the 5K race were not listed, CNN reports.
The 16-year-old soon learned she’d been disqualified because her hijab didn’t conform to uniform regulations.
“It was like your worst nightmare to have to compete and then find out that you got disqualified and it’s because of something that you love.
“Why should you have to sacrifice your religion and a part of who you are to run, to do another thing that you’re very passionate about?”, Alexandria said.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association said in response that runners with religious headwear need a waiver to participate.
