Negotiating Islamophobia through Sport: Muslim Female Athletes, Islamic Agency, and Public Diplomacy in South Korea

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Published: Dec 30, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15642/jrp.2025.15.2.182-198
Keywords:
public diplomacy; Islamic agency; sports diplomacy; Muslim women; Indonesia–South Korea relations

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Nabila Maulida Ammar
Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta
Aulia Surya Septania
Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta
Surwandono Surwandono
Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta

Abstract

This research examines the role of public diplomacy conduc­ted by Megawati Hangestri, a hijab-wearing volleyball athlete, in sha­ping positive images of Islam and Indonesia in South Korea through her participation in the Korean Volleyball League. A fiqh (Islamic juris­prudence) approach is employed to analyze how Megawati's adherence to Islamic principles constitutes a form of *Islamic agency*, asserting the identity of a Muslim woman in the public sphere and challenging stigmas that confine women to domestic roles. Using a mixed-methods approach—including data collected from social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as reports from The Korea Herald—this research highlights how Megawati's professionalism and embodiment of Islamic inclusivity have captivated Korean audiences and fostered greater interest in Islam and Indonesia. Her success demonstrates that athletes can be effective agents of public diplomacy, promoting positive images of religion and nation on a global stage.

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How to Cite
Ammar, N. M., Septania, A. S., & Surwandono, S. (2025). Negotiating Islamophobia through Sport: Muslim Female Athletes, Islamic Agency, and Public Diplomacy in South Korea. Jurnal Review Politik, 15(2), 182–198. https://doi.org/10.15642/jrp.2025.15.2.182-198
Issue
Vol. 15 No. 2 (2025): December
Section
Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

©The author (s). Published by Department of Islamic Political Thought, Faculty of Ushuluddin and Philosophy, Sunan Ampel State Islamic University Surabaya, Indonesia.

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