RIYAZ ALUHER
COLOMBO : Fathoum Issadeen brought glory to Sri Lanka by representing the nation in Squash, proudly wearing her Islamic hijab. Today, Fatima Shafiya Muhammad Yamick has made history by winning three gold medals at the South Asian Athletics Championship.
Both athletes, Muslim by faith, have made the nation proud – each in her own way.
Their achievements remind us that attire should never be a concern when it comes to celebrating excellence. Whether an athlete chooses to wear Islamic dress or not is a personal decision, not a matter for public debate. What truly matters is dedication, discipline, and determination.
We must focus on encouraging and motivating our athletes, not dividing them through unnecessary arguments about clothing. The Islamic dress code is not a hindrance to sports or any other profession – many athletes in Islamic countries have achieved outstanding success while observing it faithfully.
It is time we move beyond the conversation about attire and instead celebrate talent, effort, and achievement. Let us unite as Sri Lankans to support and uplift every young person striving to bring honour to our nation
