Ibtihaj Muhammad's Fencing Mask

Encouraging acceptance through sport

For generations, U.S. Olympic athletes have proudly worn the American flag—a symbol of independence, patriotism, and revolution. At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, American saber fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad embodied all three qualities. Wearing this mask over her hijab, the traditional head covering of Muslim women, she became the first Muslim American athlete to compete in a headscarf and the first Muslim American woman to earn an Olympic medal.

Fencing mask worn by Ibtihaj Muhammad during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games

Object Details

date made
2016
user
Muhammad, Ibtihaj
Description (Brief)
Fencing mask worn by Ibtihaj Muhammad during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games has a metal mesh face piece painted with an image of the American flag and lined in red. Muhammad is an American saber fencer and is the first Muslim American woman to wear a hajib while competing for the United States in Olympic competition. USA Fencing won the bronze medal in the team competition that year, earning Muhammad the distinction of becoming the first female Muslim-American athlete to earn a medal at the Olympics. Seeking a sport that would allow Muhammad to wear her hajib, she found fencing while in high school. At Duke University she became a three time All-American and a Junior Olympic Champion in 2005. A member of the U.S. National Fencing Team since 2010, Muhammad has had to work through discrimination, both religious and racial throughout her career but now uses her global platform to speak about inclusion and equality through sport.
The 2016 Summer Olympics, also known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad were held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with 207 countries and 11,238 athletes participating. These were the first Olympic Games held entirely in the host country’s winter season and the first to be held in South America. These Games were designed with sustainability in mind and many of the features of the Games were made from recyclable materials. The Refugee Olympic Team entered 10 athletes for competition made up of refugees from the European Migrant crisis. The Zika virus was a factor in competition as many athletes decided to forgo the Games for fear of catching the virus spread through mosquitos. Michael Phelps came out of retirement to compete in the Games and added more medals to his historic count. Katie Ledecky won four gold medals and teammate Simone Manual won two gold and two silver medals becoming the first African American to win an individual swimming gold medal. Simone Biles dominated gymnastics, winning four gold and the women’s team won the all-around competition. The United States won the medal count with 121.
name of sport
Fencing
level of sport
Amateur
Olympics
web subject
Women
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Sport and Leisure
Sports & Leisure
Religion
Exhibition
Entertainment Nation
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
Credit Line
Gift of Ibtihaj Muhammad
Data Source
National Museum of American History
ID Number
2016.0350.03
accession number
2016.0350
catalog number
2016.0350.03
Object Name
fencing mask
fencing mask, summer olympics
Physical Description
metal (overall material)
plastic (overall material)
fabric, cotton (overall material)
fabric, metal (overall material)
fabric, polyester (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 15 in x 9 in x 9 1/2 in; 38.1 cm x 22.86 cm x 24.13 cm
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b2-a9b7-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
Record ID
nmah_1823419