Toronto Raptors introduce branded hijabs

Jerry Ferguson, the company’s senior marketing director, told The A.P. that the idea was inspired by the Hijabi Ballers, a local organization that promotes Muslim women in sports.

“They really wanted to involve local Muslim female athletes,” Amreen Kadwa, the group’s founder said on Sunday. “There was a genuine partnership and interest to highlight this group, making it authentic to the Muslim community.”

Ms. Kadwa, who founded the group two years ago, said 10 to 20 women regularly show up to weekly gatherings.

“It’s been received positively among Muslim females and Raptors fans,” she said of the new apparel. “Toronto is a great multicultural city to introduce something like this.”