University of Guilan Journal of Sport Management and Development 2322-4800 14 2 2025 05 22 Exploring the Challenges Faced by Muslim Women in International Sport Events: A Case Study of East Azerbaijan Female Athletes Exploring the Challenges Faced by Muslim Women in International Sport Events: A Case Study of East Azerbaijan Female Athletes 1 24 8520 10.22124/jsmd.2024.25070.2822 FA Vajiheh Javani Associate Professor of Sport Management, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran Mina Alemi M.A in Sport Management, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran Journal Article 2023 07 24 <strong>Objective</strong><strong>:</strong> Muslim female athletes in the past faced many issues and problems. In addition to social and cultural obstacles in their own societies, there were also specific regulations approved by international sports institutions on their sports path that led to more problems for them. Therefore, in this research, the challenges that Muslim women faced in international sports events have been analyzed from the perspective of professional female athletes at the international level.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><strong>:</strong> The research method of the present study is qualitative. The participants of the present research include female athletes from East Azerbaijan province who have been active at the professional level and have a history of participation in international competitions. A purposive sampling method was employed, and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants. Thematic analysis was applied to analyze the data.<br /><strong>Results</strong><strong>:</strong> According to the analyizing of research data, 17 organizing themes and 3 main themes or overarching themes were extracted from the interviews conducted. The three main themes that were obtained are as follows: Internal obstacles (individual and cultural-social factors), external obstacles (legal mechanisms and regulations of international communities), and the role model of Muslim female athletes.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><strong>:</strong> The international sports rules have had an impact on Muslim women's sports in East Azerbaijan province. However, the existence of gender discrimination and traditional beliefs about femininity and the role of women becomes a challenge to their presence in sports events, which requires the efforts of all institutions and stakeholders, including governments, sports organizations, media and civil society groups. <strong>Objective</strong><strong>:</strong> Muslim female athletes in the past faced many issues and problems. In addition to social and cultural obstacles in their own societies, there were also specific regulations approved by international sports institutions on their sports path that led to more problems for them. Therefore, in this research, the challenges that Muslim women faced in international sports events have been analyzed from the perspective of professional female athletes at the international level.<br /><strong>Methodology</strong><strong>:</strong> The research method of the present study is qualitative. The participants of the present research include female athletes from East Azerbaijan province who have been active at the professional level and have a history of participation in international competitions. A purposive sampling method was employed, and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants. Thematic analysis was applied to analyze the data.<br /><strong>Results</strong><strong>:</strong> According to the analyizing of research data, 17 organizing themes and 3 main themes or overarching themes were extracted from the interviews conducted. The three main themes that were obtained are as follows: Internal obstacles (individual and cultural-social factors), external obstacles (legal mechanisms and regulations of international communities), and the role model of Muslim female athletes.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><strong>:</strong> The international sports rules have had an impact on Muslim women's sports in East Azerbaijan province. However, the existence of gender discrimination and traditional beliefs about femininity and the role of women becomes a challenge to their presence in sports events, which requires the efforts of all institutions and stakeholders, including governments, sports organizations, media and civil society groups. https://jsmd.guilan.ac.ir/article_8520_9f9c080ea1545474123f7e077f886e62.pdf