The AFLW’s first Muslim player Haneen Zreika has defended her “extremely difficult” decision to withdraw from the Giants’ Round 4 match against the Western Bulldogs, in upholding her responsibility to her faith and religious community.
Zreika opposed wearing the Giants’ specially-designed pride guernsey to honour the club’s first home match at Henson Park. Despite previous involvement in promotional work for last week’s AFLW pride round, Zreika drew the line at donning the team’s pride uniform.
Consequently, the 22-year-old was left out of the squad, GWS attributing her absence to “personal reasons” on their website.
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As the match got underway this afternoon, the fourth-year player took to Instagram to share a statement affirming her choice and pleading for others to show respect and kindness.
“As the first Australian Muslim woman in the AFLW, I have a responsibility to represent my faith and my community. I respect people regardless of their sexual orientation,” she wrote.
“This decision was extremely difficult and I appreciate the support of AFL, Giants, my teammates. Inclusion is about creating a space where people are able to respect their right to choose how they live their life as long as they don’t advocate hate and division.
“My platform is not a place for people to disrespect and harass others so please be kind.”
The Giants are yet to comment on Zreika’s decision, but she is still said to have the support of her teammates, some of whom are openly gay but have backed her decision to withdraw from the match.
Zreika played in GWS’ pride round match last year, but the team wore their usual home guernseys for the game.
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