I am going to go out on a limb here and say that they are not allowed to wear those during Judo competition.
God dictated that men and women must dress modestly. From there social and cultural interpretations decided on the level of modesty. I believe I clarified that the hijab is not explicitly mentioned in the Qur'an, but modest dressing is. As for the socio-economic status theory, scarves and veils were around long before Islam. Full veiling was at one point a status symbol, as wealthy women could afford to veil their entire body. However, it evolved and was influenced by local traditions and regional practices. Many Muslim women argue it gives them identity and shows their devotion and piety to their God. I feel too many of you have a problem with religion. You are not willing to just understand that some people have faith, they don't need to explain things to you, they don't need you to understand, they have faith that their religion is right, and they shouldn't be punished for believing. Fear. That's all I have seen from almost every poster on this thread.
On a further note: Modesty interpretations vary from region to region. Some immigrant Muslim women wear long sleeve shirts and dresses to the ankles. If they wanted to compete in beach volleyball, would you require them to wear a bathing suit? Not the best example, perhaps. The only thing that should be an issue here is safety.
Says who? You? Who are you to say what God did and didn't say? Personally, I don't think he did, but it is not my religion, and it is not for me to criticize. Even as a Christian I think half the ish Christians talk about is a load of crap.
This is EXACTLY my point to you. I wasn't the one who said "God dictated that men and women dress..." (one way or another).
I was saying that is what they believe. Muslims believe the Qur'an is the word of God, that it was dictated verbatim to Muhammad via Gabriel. You are saying it is ridiculous to think that. I said it is ridiculous for you to say he didn't say it. Who are you to question their belief? No one has PHYSICAL TANGIBLE proof, religion is based on FAITH, not facts.
The head covering the woman wants to wear is apart of the Islamic culture but there is nothing I have seen that says a woman's head must be covered in order to not be sinful. Anyhow, I have a problem when people confuse cultural practices and try to say they are religious tenets. Islam is no different from Christianity (or any other religion) in this respect. Further, I have problems with religion when it holds back human equality.
Dressing modestly IS in the Qur'an. There are varying interpretations of what that means, the hijab being one of those interpretations. I don't think anyone has confused it with a tenant or pillar of Islam, but there are Qur'anic verses regarding the dress of men and women, it just doesn't define what modesty entails. This is where culture and regional differences take root.
I should also note that the inequality of women in Islam is rooted in interpretations of a particular verse. I took this class 3 years ago, my notes are somewhere at my apartment, but I am at work still...so via memory...I think it is the surah The Cow, or maybe The Ant? Or maybe neither : (, but there is a verse that uses the word "daraja" which in Arabic means "degree." The verse says something about men and women being of different degrees, but interpretations of what that means vary. For instance, some scholars believed that it meant men were of a HIGHER degree, whereas other scholars said it simply meant men and women were different and therefore their duties in life are different. They are responsible for other things.
Can she wear a spiderman mask instead, that way, she's covered and remains modest per her beliefs and the modified (to cover the face) hijab would offer no competitive edge. Something like the Winter Olympic Speed Skaters wear except modified to cover her face. Like a Saudi-judo-ninja
Logical compromise. I can see how it can be dangerous to have a loose garment around your neck in a sport that allows grips in that area. It is for the player's safety, like the way they changed gymnastics because of that Russian girl's ridiculous move. I wonder if this would be an acceptable alternative.
Which is one of many reasons why it should NOT be allowed that this symbol of oppression is worn in the judo competition of the Olympics. Interestingly enough, people of all kinds of religions are participating in the Olympics. Who are the ONLY ones trying to force their way upon others?
<object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d90eSZsfreY?version=3&hl=en_US&start=12"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d90eSZsfreY?version=3&hl=en_US&start=12" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
Have to agree with this. Used to practice BJJ with a bandanna on. Started from knees one day with my sparring partner and he went straight for the bandanna, nearly snapped my neck in two. Still suffer pains from time to time from it. Any thing on the head, even long hair for that matter, can be a brutal injury just waiting to happen.
I don't know how this debate on modesty and hijab started but head coverings aren't a "symbol of oppression" at all... unless you believe Mary (mother of Jesus) was oppressed because in all the depictions of her that are out there, her head is covered. Some people (extremists, if you want to call them that), do force it upon women but that is blatantly incorrect. As for this case, I don't believe she should wear it because of safety issues. Safety is a big deal and shouldn't be compromised. The Olympics aren't being partial to anyone. Ibtihaj Muhammad is competing in fencing for the US and is doing so in hijab because it isn't a safety concern. She also isn't oppressed by the way.. I also don't get how this prayer timing debate started also because that is completely irrelevant to the topic and hasn't been an issue.
