Lion on the Inside

A Muslim American basketball star is forced to make a difficult choice in this true story about breaking barriers. Bilqis was born to play basketball. At three, she has her own hoop. By seventeen, she’s the star of her varsity team and soon headed to college on a full scholarship, where she will be the first woman to play in a hijab in NCAA history. She is even invited to play basketball with President Obama at the White House. But at key points in her basketball career Bilqis faces rules that require her to choose between her Muslim faith and playing on the court. When international headgear regulations force her to make the heartbreaking decision to give up the game, Bilqis leads a full-court press to have the rule reversed, advocating for Muslim girls and all girls and women in sport. A modern hero: kids will be thrilled by her skill and inspired by her conviction.