September 16, 2014 (SEVILLE) –The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has decided to relax its ban on religious headcoverings in limited circumstances as part of a “trial period.” SALDEF and the Sikh Coalition will follow-up with FIBA to understand exactly how the new rules will apply to Sikhs, but we have already identified several major problems:
- Religious exceptions still cannot be granted for international matches. Thus, Sikh athletes may still be forced to remove their turbans if they participate in matches outside of India.
- FIBA will wait until 2015 to decide whether to allow religious exceptions for matches at the “lowest official international level.” Thus, it is not clear whether Sikh athletes would be allowed to wear turbans during championship games.
- FIBA will decide whether to implement permanent changes to its religious accommodation policy in 2016. Thus, after FIBA completes its two-year “trial period,” it still reserves the right to ban religious headcoverings.
“FIBA has taken a step towards change, but this policy alteration will continue to lead to an unequal playing field,” said Jasjit Singh, executive director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF). “We hope that FIBA will soon recognize Sikhs, Muslims and Orthodox Jews can freely play with their respective articles of faith, without process or paperwork, and beyond their home countries, and ask all to join us as we tell FIBA to let Sikhs play freely.”
Reporting on FIBA’s latest decision, quotes Jasjit Singh, executive director of SALDEF: Hoopistani: After numerous voices of protest, FIBA (tentatively) relaxes Headgear rule for international basketball
Past Articles Secured by SALDEF: Huffington Post: Let’s Tell FIBA That Sikh Basketball Players Must Not Be Benched for Wearing Turbans BuzzFeed: The International Basketball Federation Is Forcing Sikhs To Take Their Turbans Off The Aerogram: Is FIBA Discriminating Against Sikh Basketball Players With Anti-Turban Rule? Huffington Post: Why Benching Sikhs Feeds the Trolls NBC News: Basketball Federation Refuses to Rule on Turban Ban