Safiya Al-Sayegh is a professional cyclist from the United Arab Emirates.  She is Muslim, and the only one in the peloton who wears a hijab.

In her twenty-five years, she has accomplished much as a cyclist and as a person.  And now she is at a crossroads.  Her sport and her religion.  How to balance them.  Does she choose one … or the other … or both?

We all face moments where different values collide.  And there are no easy answers.

But now Safiya has decided.

Being a Muslim first

Being a cyclist second

She has decided to retire as a professional athlete

Hear her words:

The past couple of years have been tough mentally, not because this sport is tough, but because I found myself in an identity crisis.  Being a Muslim woman that fully believes in covering and dressing modestly, and a girl that just loved racing, riding a bike, and that loved sports.

Can you feel Safiya?  Can you see yourself in her, whatever your religion, or even if you don’t have one?

As soon as I heard about Safiya, she immediately joined my short list of human beings I’d love to have coffee with (or whatever she chooses to drink).

For a while I have thought deeply what I’d like to be remembered by and I hope it can be good manners, smiles, trying my best to spread joy to the people around me, and a Muslim woman that tried her very best to show, wherever she went around the world, how lovely Islam is and that it is a religion of peace, balance and obedience to our creator, Allah.

Well said, Safiya

Fare thee well