Blind Indonesian judoka disqualified from Asian Para Games after refusing to take off hijab

Indonesian judoka Miftahul Jannah was banned from competing in the women’s 52kg visual impairment category at the Asian Para Games after the athlete refused to remove her hijab.

The 21-year-old Muslim was disqualified from the competition for breaching the International Judo Federation (IJF) rules, which state that a judoka’s head “may not be covered except for bandaging of a medical nature.”

The athlete left the tatami in tears, triggering a public uproar over the incident which was deemed discriminative by many fans.

Tak Sepatutnya Pelarangan Jilbab di Event Paragames ini terjadi...
You know why ?
1. Indonesia Tuan Rumah... Masa diem aja liat atletnya dizolimi
2. Sbg negara dgn mayoritas Muslim, seharusnya Panitia paham "Kearifan Lokal"
3. Islam kita sangat toleran
pic.twitter.com/dEEUzzrRGa

— Hilik Ku Aink.... (@kangsemproel) October 8, 2018

Words of support poured in on social media with many users expressing their admiration towards the athlete – who refused to take off her head cover.

Proud of you Miftahul Jannah
Keep strong ????????????
You're the real winner ..#AsianParaGames2018 #ParaInspirasi #IndonesiaBangga pic.twitter.com/MCS1d5OZOs

— Iz Ichrisa (@IzIchrisa) October 8, 2018

This is all related to belief. The commitee should start to consider about the rules was related to equity of human right.. I think it can be the important point for commitee of #AsianParaGames2018 . We proud of you, you're the real winner. #respect for you, Miftahul Jannah..

— Kita Produktif (@EkosSri) October 8, 2018

Proud of You Miftahul Jannah, you're still a winner ! https://t.co/oEXuqooWJj

— Audi R (@Rizka_audi21) October 8, 2018

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The president of the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC), Senny Marbun, blamed negligence for the controversy, adding that the team coach was unaware of the rule because his English was poor.

“On behalf of the NPC I apologize for this. This is really embarrassing, and I hope it will not occur again in the future,” Senny said during a press conference on Monday.

The incident, which was widely covered by the Indonesian media, attracted the attention of the country’s House of Representatives (DPR), whose members rewarded Miftahul with an Umrah trip to Mecca.

“I sincerely appreciate it and would like to say thank you to whomever rewarded me an Umrah ticket. I am truly elated. It personally feels like a gold medal for me since I failed to participate in yesterday’s match,” the athlete said on Tuesday.