This site is where you can find the latest news in Noor's fight against discrimination in sports.
The story of 17-year-old Noor Alexandria Abukaram, who after being disqualified in a high school cross country race for wearing a hijab, spearheaded an initiative that led to a state bill in Ohio to protect runners like herself.
Noor Abukaram became international news in 2019 after being disqualified from a high school cross country race due to her religious beliefs. She fought back with her voice then, and she hasn't stopped fighting for equality, and especially for young Muslim athletes, ever since.
"You start to think, why am I running 26 miles?" Abukaram said. "It's to be physically there while you're spreading your message. The only reason I run today is because I told my story three years ago."
The Fifty/50 initiative commemorates the 50th anniversary of the passing of Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any educational institution that receives federal funding, and gave women the equal opportunity to play sports.
Throughout June, ESPN will present a collection of stories focused on the intersection of women, sports, culture and the fight for equality.
"Senate Bill 181 passed unanimously in the State Senate today! This is the end of the beginning, SB 181 will now move to the house to be debated and voted on again then Insha'Allah signed by the governor to become a law! Also, peep my newest accessory. Not only did the president of the senate co-sponsor the bill today, but also gifted me his gavel that finalized the vote for SB 181 to move out of the senate." -Noor Abukaram
"People need to know that this is not a freak accident that happened to me here in Toledo. It happens every single day with Muslim athletes. So with Let Noor Run, it's going to eventually become the hub of discrimination in sports. That way people can see the numbers and they can know that it's not just something that happens in a blue moon." -Noor Abukaram
Noor stood on stage with Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, a former University of Memphis basketball player, and Amaiya Zafar, who was the first boxer to wear a hijab in a sanctioned fight.
We're catching energy from powerful
stories of women everywhere. Like Noor, who was DQ'd at a high school track meet for wearing her hijab. Fast forward to now, and this activist + college student is passing state legislation that protects athletes from discrimination. Citing her mom as her main inspiration, Noor is now motivating other incredible women around the world.
