Participation of Muslim female students in sporting activities in Australian public high schools : the impact of religion

This paper looks at the participation of Muslim female students in sporting activities in Australian public high schools. Specifically, the study examines how Muslim female students interpret their participation in school sporting activities and how their Islamic background influences the way they perceive their engagement within the school environment. This paper also argues that Muslim girls' participation in school sporting activities is influenced by the struggle between their identity as Muslims, Islamic dress codes and the sporting requirements. Initially, the paper will examine the importance of sporting activities in the general development of adolescent students, as well as shows how Muslim students view their Islamic identity and what implication this view may have on their engagement in sports. Furthermore, the paper will discuss the struggle between the Islamic identity of female Muslim students and Australian school sporting requirements in light of two important Islamic teachings: (i) dress code and (ii) mixing or interaction with the opposite sex.