It is a religious requirement depending on your interpretation. While the hijab is no explicitly mentioned in the Qur'an, there are surah's (Surat Al-Nur) which focus on the dress of men and women. Some Islamic scholars believe that it is in fact a religious requirement of modesty. If someone wants to proudly show that they are a practicing nudist, why should we come against their beliefs? Are you intolerant? A bigot? Right wing fanatic? I don't disagree with it, I just know that it is ridiculous to ponder a nudist monk wanting to play in the Olympics. They are monks, they gave up everything, all worldly possessions, all cultural attachments, and you think they're going to play in the games? Ok... Do you suffer from ridiculous arguments? They are polar opposites. Even in America we have decency regulations on television. You wouldn't censor someone for being covered up MORE than required. Whereas a nudist would be censored. Do you think our country is oppressing nudists? None of that matters because the fact is nudism, even if there was a "nudist religion" is not the most popular religion. People just fear the hijab because they fear what they don't understand. It's why agnostics and atheists get so upset arguing with religious. They don't understand what they can't understand...sounds stupid, but you see my point I hope. This isn't about the hijab, it's about the European's fear of Islam.[/QUOTE] At ridiculous requests. Explain to me how a religious article of clothing worn by MILLIONS is not a reasonable request. Because you are afraid of someone requesting something ridiculous? This is a REASONABLE request. Don't be an islamaphobe. Just saying...
Just because millions of people do something stupid doesn't mean it's not stupid. The word "islamophobe/islamaphobe", however, is stupid.
A thinly veiled insult to the women that wear hijab. Are nuns stupid for wearing their modest outfits and covering their hair? Are Orthodox Jewish women stupid for covering their hair? Being modest via personal choice is stupid while flaunting your T&A out so men could jerk off during the Olympics rather than watch for the competition is not stupid. Maybe thats why you keep mentioning the hypothetical "nudist" competing in the Olympic games, bathing suits and bikinis leaves too much to the imagination.
1) "Personal choice" is questionable in most cases. 2) Are you saying that women who do not cover their hair are "immodest"? Why don't you move to Saudi Arabia, you will not see much of that there. Seems to fit your "moral values" as well.
You have got to be ****ing kidding me!!! THAT is the athlete? I guess Saudi didn't appreciate the pressure 'cuz they've just made a complete mockery of the olympics. What a ****ing joke.
What boggles my mind is that here in the US the left will fight tooth and nail for seperation of chuch and state while at the same time arguing for things like state sponsered religious garb in situations like this.
Agree 1000 %. The funny thing is that it's the same people doing that. People like Juan Valdez, FranchiseBlade, etc. Their hypocrisy is hilarious. Saudi's other female athlete, 800 m runner Sarah Attar, looks slightly better.
This isn't about modesty. You are competing in the Olympics. You are hopefully trying to win against the best athletes in the world. If the saudi's make their runner wear a sweatshirt they are hindering her chance to win because it creates more drag. By forcing the judo girl to wear a hijab they are potentially causing an unfair advantage or disadvantage. These aren't nuns. They are athletes and hopefully wear clothes that helps them win.
Oh, come off it. There is no specific law in Saudi Arabia mandating Hijab, I will not ignore however that custom, social and family pressure play roles in that society of ensuring Hijab and even niqabs(face veils) are worn. I'm sure you've seen on the news and media outlets when there is some type of outrageous violence or punishment for a woman not wearing hijab or being covered and such, it's more often than not vigilantism. Some overzealous nut in parts of the society taking an inappropriate and harsh approach to a woman being uncovered. Usually that person is completely unqualified and not properly educated on Islamic laws and principles like for example laws which deem vigilantism unacceptable. There are varying interpretations of Hijab and a lot of it varies on the females personal feelings on what they feel is acceptable when it comes to following this religious rule. One Muslim female may feel some loose clothing and a headscarf is okay and may be a little stylish about it. Another would do the same but has her outfit more simple, maybe with neutral colors rather than bright vibrant colors. Some are stricter about it and cover their face and even their hands. None of these women are necessarily wrong about the way they follow the Islamic dress code for women, they just have different personal interpretations of what constitutes hijab. If you wanna throw in the husbands and male figures forcing women to cover up. There are plenty of husbands and fathers (usually ones that aren't very practicing) that are uncomfortable with their wife/daughter being covered up and may even discourage it but ultimately its a personal choice in the woman's eyes and the ones who cover up completely or more strictly than most are trying to please a Higher authority. If they want to do that, more power to them. They're trying to score extra cool points with God. Don't see a problem with that. Other women feel just a headscarf and not being too revealing will suffice. It depends on the woman.
I was under the impression this was a personal choice. Please link me to any direct statements from the government regarding the hijab and the olympics. Also, AroundtheWorld, this is not an issue of sep. of church and state. The Olympic Games are not a government. This is only an issue because she is a Muslim and with today's media, and societal misconceptions of Islam, it's no wonder that so many people are afraid of Islam. They don't understand it, it is foreign to them, and so they don't trust it. I am a Christian, raised Catholic, but I majored in Government, as well as Middle Eastern Studies. I have plenty of course hours in the Qur'an and Islam. There is no reason to be afraid of a religion. Be afraid of extremists. It's just ignorant to fear Muslims because you don't understand their faith.
Gonna go with the optimistic route that the Olympics played it for the long run to have both men and women participate under the Saudi flag for the first time in history. It can only get better for Saudi women with Olympic dreams. Woman participating in olympics wearing hijab > No women participating in olympics
I wouldn't judge her ability by her looks. Unfortunately there is pretty much no eye candy in heavy weight women in Judo. What I think is a bigger factor is her lack of experience.
That might be the case and one reason why I suspect the IOC leaned on the IJF to allow her to compete.
