Liverpool Football Club revealed its new 2022/23 Nike Home Kit, earlier in May and was inspired by the attitude of ‘Scouse solidarity’.
The design reflects the mentality of its people, a mentality that makes Liverpool unique, with the all-red home shirt featuring their intricate slogan ‘YNWA’, detailing on the sleeve cuff, representing the resilient bond between the fans and the club.
What is also making this launch unique and extremely inclusive, is the featuring of a Yemini, hijab-wearing Liverpudlian, who is a supporter of her hometown football club.
Proud Scouser, 22-year-old Selma Bazara, a Social Media Executive at Hedge Socials and MA student in Human Resource Management, says she felt honoured to be part of the campaign.
“I felt so honoured, to be honest, that they asked me. I felt like, wow, this is not just a big opportunity for me but for Muslim women that unfortunately don’t feel as confident because of what the media says about us.
“So I thought maybe this would help them see that you don’t need to change who you are, and you don’t need to hide your hijab if that makes sense; people shouldn’t judge you on that”.
The 22-year-old Yemeni was scouted by a Nike PR and communications manager, as he first found her on TikTok, several months ago.
“He invited me to the Nike box when Liverpool was playing as he knew I supported them and that it was hard to get tickets because season tickets are so hard to get a hold of.
“After that, during Ramadan, I got asked if I wanted to shoot for the new kit launch, and I was so excited, and I said yes straight away, but I thought it was just a shoot that would go on a website, so I didn’t really think about whom I would shoot with, or if the players were a part of this campaign.
The shoot featured the Liverpool John Moores student and content creator, Selma Bazara, alongside the Premier League club Manager Jürgen Klopp and Curtis Jones, who plays Central Midfield.
Bazara says, she didn’t expect the waves of comments and direct messages from people showing their support and telling her how proud they were, however, she did receive some backlash.
“Of course, I had some horrible comments, and someone even made a YouTube video saying how I shouldn’t model because I’m Muslim, etc. But hate is everywhere, and I can’t stop it. It’s not nice to hear and see, especially since I’m getting sent it, but I guess I have thicker skin, especially if I want to enhance my career opportunities. But the positive comments and responses I received from people kept me going 100%”.
A major setback for hijabi sportswomen was when the hijab ban in competitive sports was proposed in January of this year, by the French Senate which voted to ban the hijab in sports, due to “conspicuous religious symbols” being prohibited.
This caused worldwide outrage amongst many Muslim women, who play sports and cover their heads for religious reasons, and it subsequently evoked the French collective fighting against the FFF ban to promote a more inclusive society in France, known as ‘Les Hijabeuses’.
However, since then women who wear the hijab in sports, have taken to social media to promote their choice, to wear the Islamic head covering whilst playing their chosen sport.
British Sudanese Adidas Ambassador, Asma Elbadawi, was one of those who campaigned against the ban in February.
In a 30 second Adidas promo, titled ‘I’MPOSSIBLE’, the sports activist said, “When they tried to ban my hijab, I fought, I won and kept wearing my crown”.
In response to this Selma Bazara says “It’s upsetting to see other countries can’t see that it’s just a scarf and that no harm will come with wearing one, as women in general that do sports already experience challenges which should never be the case regardless.
“I hope it helps Muslim women who wear the hijab in sports, to express it freely and for it not to be illegal in any way and show that you can still be good at what you do and achieve great things by wearing a hijab”.
Like Asma, and many other hijabi sports activists, Bazara aims to inspire others by saying, “I hope that my fellow hijabi women don’t see it as “I can’t do it” but rather “why not” and “what’s stopping me”. Challenges make us stronger at the end of the day. So, if you want something, definitely go for it!”
Bazara is helping showcase Liverpool FC’s recent launch ‘Red Together’ which is the Club’s approach to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, as it aims to be “The most inclusive football club, providing fair opportunities to as many different people as possible”.
