Zahra Lari: Breaking the ice for women and the UAE at the 2018 Winter Olympics
Zahra Lari, professional figure skater from the UAE / Photo courtesy of Zahra Lari
As the UAE’s first professional hijabi figure skater, Zahra Lari takes her title very seriously. She has her eyes on the Olympics next year, and she is adamant to not let anything stand in her way. But as a young girl, it wasn’t the renowned sporting event that inspired Zahra to take up ice-skating; it was something rather more fairy-tale-like.
“I immediately fell in love with this sport, I started skating at the age of 12 after seeing the Disney film Ice Princess,” the athlete recounted to My Salaam. “The artistic qualities, the performance, the technical details, and the actual story of passion and perseverance really drew me to it.”
Silhouette of Zahra Lari, professional figure skater from the UAE / Photo courtesy of Zahra Lari
Today, Zahra aims to be the first to represent the UAE in the Winter Olympics in 2018. She was recently featured in an inspirational film by Nike titled ‘إيش حيقولوا عنك؟’ along with other professional and non-professional athletes from the Middle East. Zahra was motivated to participate due to the campaign’s strong message of pushing beyond boundaries and fears. It’s a message that is very dear to the young Emirati, as she herself faced the question that is the title of the film: “What will they say about you?”
“When I first started, it was pretty hard and I felt quite lonely at times. Now, of course, people know me, and know my story, and hence support me, but at that time, it was all about my own will and not giving up,” she said, “Of course, I still face many struggles, but then I keep my focus on the Olympics, and that clears my vision, and helps me focus on that one goal.”
FACING FAMILY
Zahra’s first fear was about her father. “I was worried that he would not accept my choice to be a professional figure skater, but when he saw that this is truly my passion, and I am really good at it, he was super supportive.”
The passion she speaks of comes from the fact that, for her, figure skating is both an art and a sport. “I love everything about it. You need to have the strength of a gymnast, and the flexibility and grace of a ballerina. You also have to tell a story, and at the same time, you have to have a lot of strength to be able to carry it through.”
Zahra Lari, professional figure skater from the UAE / Photo courtesy of Zahra Lari
For Zahra, it is important that she does all this without compromising on who she is as a person or the culture she comes from. She wears her hijab proudly while skating and has never felt any different for being a hijabi figure skater, even on an international platform.
“Well, it’s not easy, but I think it’s good to be unique. I focus on my goals and block out any challenges and negativities, because that won’t take me anywhere I want to go.”
Zahra Lari, professional figure skater from the UAE / Photo courtesy of Zahra Lari
In fact, as a young Muslim and an Arab woman, the athlete takes it upon herself to break barriers so that others know that it can be done.
“This is exactly what excited me about the Nike campaign, both the film and the launch of the Nike Pro Hijab. The number of amazing messages I got from young girls saying they feel inspired and motivated to pursue their dream in sport was just overwhelming,” she said with a wide smile.
Zahra Lari, professional figure skater from the UAE / Photo courtesy of Zahra Lari
Zahra follows a very simple philosophy in her life and her career: “If you focus on the difficulties, you don’t get too far. It’s not going to be easy, but then, nothing that is worth it ever is. Go after your dreams, focus on your goals, and surround yourself with good people, and you will be able to accomplish anything.”
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Umaima Tinwala