Introduction:

With a heavy heart, I bring a critical issue to public attention that has been burdening my daughter and our family since 2022, casting a shadow over my daughter Ra'eesah's karate journey with USAKarate. This situation has not only raised serious doubts about her future in the sport but has also significantly dampened her enthusiasm and vigor for karate, a discipline she once pursued with passion. As her father and coach, I have adhered to our membership rules and policies, while advocating for justice against the discrimination, harassment, humiliation, and emotional misconduct my daughter experienced during the USAKarate National Competitions in 2022 and 2023. In response to my efforts to seek a resolution, USAKarate leadership resorted to hiring legal counsel. The general outside counsel for USAKarate invoked rule 4.2, effectively preventing me from discussing the issue directly with our leadership, contrary to our governance rules.

**The Core Issue:**

During the National Competitions of 2022 and 2023, Raeesah, a minor Muslim female elite athlete, was targeted regarding her hijab, a vital element of her Muslim faith. The enforcement of USAKarate's hijab rule, in place for over a decade (specifically, 12 years), targets Muslim female athletes, mandating them to remove their traditional hijab. In its place, they are forced to wear a cap, made by WKF and enforced by USAKarate. The labeling of this cap as a “WKF APPROVED HIJAB” is egregiously misleading and lacks integrity and fairness. This cap is a misrepresentation of a true hijab and a clear violation of Raeesah’s religious rights. The USAKarate Hijab Rule also violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, and it is in direct violation of  the USAKARATE Code of Conduct, the WKF Code of Ethics, the IOC Code of Ethics, the Safe Sport Code for USOPC, Ted Stevens, and Title IX, alongside numerous federal and state laws safeguarding religious freedom and non-discrimination.

**Call to Action:**

1. Public Apology: Demand a formal, written public apology from the CEO/USAKARATE for the discrimination, harassment, humiliation, and emotional misconduct faced by Ra’eesah.

2. Investigation and Incident Reports: Seek detailed investigation and incident reports from the 2022 and 2023 Nationals, including staging, uniform checks, ring procedures, and the processes of disqualification and reinstatement.

3. Policy Review and Revision: Removal of the 12 year old USAKarate hijab rule and support Muslim female athletes' right to choose their hijab, promoting fairness and respect.

4. Transparent Communication: Call on USAKarate to disclose details about the decade-old rule, its necessity, and steps being taken to address the USAKARATE Hijab Rule.

5. Name Tags for Officials: Push for visible name tags for referees, judges, and staff for identification and accountability.

6. Acknowledgment of Governance Failure: Insist USAKarate acknowledges its failure to adhere to governance standards in Ra'eesah's case.

7. Mental Health Support: Propose the availability of mental health professionals at competitions to support athletes' mental well-being.

8. Developing Parent-Member Oversight Committee: Propose the structuring of the parent-members oversight committee. This committee will work closely with USAKarate leadership to monitor, review, and advise on policies, especially those concerning athlete welfare, ethical conduct, and the enforcement of rules. It will also serve as a forum for raising concerns, proposing improvements, and ensuring that the voices of athletes and their families are heard and considered in the federation's decision-making process

**Addressing Communication Challenges**

Throughout this process, our attempts to resolve these issues have been met with communication tactics from the lawyer and investigator that seemingly aimed to twist our words and imply non-compliance on our part. Despite these challenges, we have remained steadfast in our original narrative and the pursuit of justice for Ra’eesah, ensuring that the true nature of our complaint is not lost or misrepresented.

Conclusion:

These events have not just affected Ra'eesah personally but also highlighted deeper systemic issues within USAKarate, demanding urgent and transparent action. Despite promises of an apology and a thorough investigation, there has been a concerning lack of transparency and accountability from USAKarate's leadership. The nature of the investigation remains ambiguous, and our concerns about potential conflicts of interest have only heightened the need for open resolution. This situation underscores the necessity for fairness and respect for all athletes, regardless of religious beliefs. As a dedicated coach and father, I am committed to seeing this issue through to its rightful resolution, for the sake of my daughter's dignity, the integrity of USAKarate, and the future of the sport of karate.

Your signature on this petition supports #RaeesahsHijab and every Muslim female athlete's right to compete without discrimination and with full respect for their religious identity. Stand with us in this fight for justice and for creating a sporting environment that upholds the dignity and constitutional rights of every athlete.