About Us
Our Mission
muslim girls ball too ‘Dribbles’ down barriers of exclusion and discrimination through sports and faith.
WHO WE ARE
Muslim Girls Ball Too is an non-profit organization birthed in 2015, after our Founder and Executive Director, Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, faced a life-changing decision, Hijab or professional basketball.
Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir knew she wanted basketball to be a part of her life. After first picking up a ball at the age of four at a local YMCA, Bilqis’ love for the game began. Living in a practicing Muslim household, Bilqis was to follow her religious beliefs as she grew older. She began wearing a hijab, a traditional head covering for Muslim women, and practiced modesty on the court by covering all skin except her hands. She parlayed her skills into a full ride scholarship to the University of Memphis where she played four years (2009-13) and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in exercise science. She finished her college career playing her Senior Redshirt year at Indiana State University while acquiring a Master’s Degree in Science, with a concentration in Physical Education.
Her goal was to continue playing professionally, but that quickly ended due to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rule prohibiting headgear larger than five inches. Unwilling to stray from her beliefs, Bilqis chose faith over basketball and became an advocate working alongside other Muslim players who began a Change.org petition. Bilqis raised her voice for the next generation and effectively forced FIBA to change its headgear ruling to allow hijabs on the court.
Bilqis currently lives in Memphis, TN with her husband and children, and is the Athletic Director for Pleasant View School, the only Islamic school in the city. She is also an international public speaker, and an award winning children’s book author.