Muslim Women Embrace Outdoor Activities In Minnesota

Nasrieen Habib, center right with green coat, and some of the members of the outdoors group she founded for Muslim women pose for a photo at the bottom of a snow tubing hill at Elm Creek Park Reserve

Ice crystals clung to the eyelashes, parka hood, beanie hat, and headscarf of a woman named Ruqayah Nasser as she enjoyed her first snow tubing runs in a Minnesota park on a subzero January morning. Nasser was part of a group founded by a Somali-American mother in Minneapolis to encourage outdoor activities among Muslim women, providing a sense of community and understanding for those who wear hijabs.

For many Muslim women, the hijab is a visible symbol of their faith, representing piety and modesty. However, in the sports world, athletes wearing hijabs often face challenges in finding accommodations for religious practices. Concerned about safety and determined to combat seasonal depression, Nasrieen Habib created a hiking group three years ago, which has now grown to over 700 members.

The Amanah Rec Project, initiated by Habib, offers Muslim women a platform for outdoor activities, education on winter clothing, health, and environmental sustainability from an Islamic perspective. The group aims to promote sisterhood, modesty, and a deeper connection to nature while adhering to religious beliefs.

Members of the group, including immigrants from East Africa, find solace and acceptance in Minnesota's vibrant Muslim community. By engaging in outdoor activities like snow tubing, they not only enjoy the physical benefits but also instill a love for nature in their children, emphasizing the importance of health in their faith.

Hijabs symbolize faith for Muslim women, creating challenges in sports participation.

Ruqayah Nasser enjoys snow tubing with a group promoting outdoor activities for Muslim women.

Nasrieen Habib's hiking group provides a platform for over 700 Muslim women to engage in outdoor activities.

Amanah Rec Project educates on winter clothing, health, and sustainability from an Islamic perspective.

The group promotes sisterhood, modesty, and a deeper connection to nature while adhering to religious beliefs.

Members find solace and acceptance in Minnesota's Muslim community, instilling a love for nature in their children.

Umer Hussain highlights barriers Muslim women face in sports participation, such as gender-mixed activities.

Habib's group provides safe spaces for women to practice their faith while engaging in physical activities.

Participants appreciate the inclusive environment for sharing work experiences, immigrant life stories, and spiritual connections.

Umer Hussain, a professor studying religion and sports, highlights the barriers Muslim women face in sports participation, such as gender-mixed activities and conservative family attitudes. Habib's group addresses these challenges by providing safe spaces for women to practice their faith while engaging in physical activities.

Participants like Makiya Amin and Isho Mohamed appreciate the group's inclusive environment, where they can share work experiences, immigrant life stories, and spiritual connections. The outings offer a blend of outdoor adventure and meaningful conversations, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding among the members.

For Jorida Latifi, a member originally from Albania, the group feels like a second family, offering support and camaraderie that transcends cultural and religious differences. Through their shared experiences in the great outdoors, these Muslim women find a sense of unity and belonging that enriches their lives.