IWS Interview – Sara Amin

Inspiring Women Series are to showcase some of the successful modest women out there, who succeed not inspite of their hijab but because of it.

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Sara Amin, 22 years, a Mass Communication graduate, a volleyball player in Al-Ahly club & the National Team.

When did you start playing volleyball?

I started playing volleyball when I was 5 years old in Shams club. I was the team captain for around 5 years, and I went to Al-Ahly club in 2018.

Did you make friends in Volleyball?

Yes definitely a lot of friends! I made friends in Shams club, Ahly club, and in the National Team. And since we stay in sports camp for a very long time each year in the national team, so I made even more friends from different clubs.

How did you join the national team?

I was playing a match when I was 13 and after the match, the coach told me you are a really good player and we want you to join the national team. And during the first phase of elimination, I was accepted right away Alhamdulillah.

Did you face any obstacles as a Hijabi in the national team?

Not at all. I am not the only one veiled, so I didn’t look different in any way, and we always support each other.

Does the headscarf annoy you in any way while playing?

No it doesn’t, because we wear something very light and we tuck it in the shirt so it doesn’t annoy me in any way.

If the national team didn’t accept Hijabis, would you still join and take it off?

Definitely not, without a second thought.

What are your personal trophies and team trophies?

When I entered the first team we always won the second place and Al-Ahly won the first place. And the last season (2018) in Al-Ahly, we won the National cup, and the African Cup and it was my first year with them.

As for my personal trophies, I took best attacker in 2013, best block in 2014, best player in 2015, and best defence in 2016.

What was your happiest moment throughout your volleyball journey?

It was the last year with Al-Ahly, after we won the African Cup and I did really well and I proved myself in the final Alhamdulillah, so I felt so proud.

Where have you traveled throughout your volleyball journey?

I traveled to Nigeria, Thailand, Kenya, Tunisia, Algeria, Slovenia, Serbia, Uganda, and Turkey.

Uganda was my favorite of them all. The view of the hotel was amazing, the animal park was astonishing, and sightseeing was just mind-blowing!

And we won the African championship with the national team, so it was double the happiness.

When did you wear Hijab and why?

I wore Hijab on 1/4/2011. And I wore it because I loved it, as I wasn’t forced in any way to wear it. It was my choice. Also, my sister who’s older than me wore it and looked very pretty so I was looking up to her at that time and thought of imitating her.

Was balancing between your social life and volleyball hard?

When I was really young, yes definitely. It affected me on so many levels. I came back from my trainings very late and I had to wake up very early for school/college.

Also, when my friends used to hang out, I would rarely be able to go, because it’s either I’m at my trainings, matches, or sleeping because I needed some rest. So I missed A LOT of outings

So I would say yes it was a tough time but was worth it!

Was your family supportive?

Yes they were. At first my dad didn’t like the fact that I wasn’t at home often, but when he saw my passion and commitment, he couldn’t help but be supportive. On the other hand, my mother was supportive from day one, because she was a volleyball player as well and she couldn’t complete her journey because her father opposed. So, she was the most supportive one in my life.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue a career in sports but isn’t brave enough?

Sports in general helps the person on so many levels. Because the typical “home – work – sleep” cycle is just boring. And I can’t imagine being trapped in this monotonous cycle forever.

It helped me physically and helped my personality develop as well. The most important things I learned from sports were discipline, and being able to socialize with people with different personalities from different backgrounds. It changed me and made me learn so much.

Does wearing hijab hinder your success in volleyball or any other aspect in life?

No, hijab didn’t hinder my success in any way.

How would you advise other people struggling with hijab?

Hijab never caused a problem to me. In the end, it’s best to remind ourselves (why did I take this step?)

So, apparently what you give up for Allah is always the best decision and is always a win.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

My dad gave me the best advice that I remember till that day.

Because, I faced some problems while changing the team I play for. I had problems for almost 8 months with my club because they didn’t want me to leave. The problems stayed for so long that I honestly lost hope and wasn’t trying anymore. I thought it was the end of my volleyball journey and I just gave up.

But then my dad told me “We’ll always fight for what’s yours.” And even when my mom and I lost hope, and told him to stop trying, he wouldn’t listen to anyone and kept fighting until Alhamdulillah I got where I wanted.