Gaming giant, FIFA, has announced the inclusion of players wearing hijab in the upcoming modern instalment of the franchise, FIFA 23. This marks the first time that FIFA has added a hijab-wearing player to their game line-up, a move that has been praised by gamers and activists alike.
The historic decision to add a hijab-wearing character comes after years of lobbying by various groups to have their favorite professions and sports represented on-screen. This change has grown in significance as the gaming industry evolves and expands, recognizing the importance of representing minority voices. The hijab has traditionally been avoided in western gaming, as it is still often perceived as a religious or political expression. However, with FIFA taking this step to represent the diverse range of gamers out there, it has confronted the taboo head-on and has provided another way for players to identify with a character.
Gamers have long been asking for more realistic and diverse characters, which often extend to the various religions and ethnicities of the world. After having overplayed a limited selection of repetitive “male protagonist” characters, gamers wanted to explore other styles of gaming that offered varied experiences. A hijab-wearing character will be uniquely significant in this regard, allowing for representation that comes off as more relatable to real life.
This historic move by FIFA 23 comes at a time where the veil and the representation of hijab-wearing women is slowly changing within the gaming industry. Other popular titles have recently incorporated the hijab into their gaming world, such as the character Altair in Assassin’s Creed, and the very popular Farah in the Uncharted series. The inclusion of a hijab-wearing character symbolises that the gaming industry is finally catching up with the diverse and modern world that it caters to.
FIFA 23 has made it very clear that it is taking diversity and inclusivity very seriously. The addition of a hijab-wearing player will give an immense sense of pride to over two billion Muslim players worldwide, offering them the chance to display their culture and beliefs through the medium of a beloved video game.
