Bahrain’s first female bodybuilder challenges society

(AFP)

The 32-year-old bodybuilder, Haifa Musawi began working out a decade ago after finding a personal trainer to help her overcome obesity – a widespread problem in the oil-rich region.

“I had a problem with obesity and I used to like bodybuilding,” says Musawi, as a young girl, she would seek out publications with articles and pictures about bodybuilding.

“At that age, I didn’t have the experience or how to become a bodybuilder,” she recalls. “It wasn’t easy… bodybuilding for women in our society is rare.”

In a report byMiddle-Eastern website, they report that ten years later, Musawi has several certificates from international fitness and bodybuilding associations and has been working as a weights specialist in Dubai, where she trains both men and women.

She is now seeking a pro-card so she can take part in professional competitions around the world and join the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness.

also she plans to travel to Portugal with the help of her Portuguese trainer where she’ll try to obtain residency and represent Portugal in international competitions, since she can’t represent Bahrain or any other countries in the Gulf area.

She has a big number of clients, some are males who are slowly accepting her, and some are females who aspire to her. She has become a guiding mentor to other girls like Shaza Jamil, and other girls who are inspired by lifting.