With the continuing hijab issue in Karnataka gaining international attention and support from a number of well-known figures, Sonny Bill Williams, a professional heavyweight boxer from New Zealand, voiced solidarity with Muslim girls protesting the hijab ban on Thursday.
When they were compelled to remove their hijab and burqa in public display, some pupils, including a few instructors, were humiliated and harassed. The girls must now choose between their right to an education and their freedom to worship religion, as protected by Article 25 of the Indian Constitution.
Read more: India’s hijab dispute reaches its most populous state
Williams expressed his solidarity in a Twitter video
Sharing a 45-second video on Twitter, Sonny Bill Williams, who was a former Rugby player said, “Just a quick message of support to my sisters out there who are struggling with the hijab at the moment, particularly in India and of recent Okago gills high school in New Zealand. Just sending some love and dua’s (prayers) to you guys (girls fighting, for their rights) against ‘thugs’.
“Yes these thugs may rip the headscarf off, but they will never rip Islam or Allah from your hearts. So stay strong sisters, he adding again that he is sending love and duas to the girls and their families.
Remarking that “Inshaallah (God willing),” the boxer said, “the full force of these thugs will be met with the full force of the Lord, stay strong sisters.”
Read more: Girl in hijab will be India’s PM one day: Asaduddin Owaisi
— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) February 17, 2022
Williams converted to Islam in 2009
In 2009, while playing for Toulon in France, Williams converted to Islam. He is the All Blacks’ first Muslim player and has spoken openly about his beliefs. In 2018, he went on an Umrah trip to Mecca and also visited Medina. He is a dual citizen of Samoa and New Zealand. In 2019, he sent a “tearful letter of condolence” to the victims of the mosque murders in Christchurch, New Zealand, and condemned China’s treatment of Uyghurs, saying, “It’s a sad time when we pick economic interests over humanity.”
Many Indian and international famous personalities including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Shashi Tharoor, as well as Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai, have previously expressed support for the Hijab-clad girls in Karnataka. They had pleaded with the authorities not to bar them from pursuing an education because they wore a hijab in class.