So, with the drama behind Saudi Arabia and Brunei stating that they will not send women to the Olympics because "women are barred from Olympic participation for 'cultural and religious reasons.'"
A dissenting young blogger patriot missive I found recently posts on her feelings, and I have got to say.... she's got me there. Perhaps they should bar the offenders from the Olympics. OR perhaps there are other ways of opening the hearts and minds of those who ban women from sports.
Now introducing *tada!* Hijabis in the Olympics. This year Beijing has brought a decent amount of press to the competitor from Bahrain who wears hijab. In addition there are 5 Egyptians, a few other women who wear hijab...and of course all 3 of the female competitors from Iran. My pic of the hijabi stars? The track star Roqaya Al Ghasara from Beijing and Sara Khoshjamal Fekri the first Iranian to compete in TaeKwondo who is inspiring Iranian women across the nation.
Australia News reports on Roqaya Al-Ghasara
Time Magazine excerpt about Fekri
And a story about all 3 Iranian female competitors on an Iranian Blogger's page Shahrazad's Blog
So, perhaps we should be proud of and encourage those who modify sports outfits to suit their hijab. These women are making progress that can affect and benefit sisters elsewhere. This is the first year UAE and Oman have sent women. Both Bahrain and Iran had women hold the flag in the opening ceremonies...
AND Iran is debating breaking dress code to broadcast women in the olympics women in the olympics in Iran. Baby steps girls... or baby jabs in her case?
You go girls... and I hope Fekri kicks some serious Olympian butt!
Here's a jolly link to a Reuters article titled Veiled athletes challenge stereotypes in Beijing
The only info I can find regarding Afghan runner Mahboba Ahdyar was in an old ABC article from march.
She then went missing for a few weeks at the Olympic training camp according to an ABC news article dated July 10. According to the article she is seeking political assylum in Norway. May she be blessed in her life... but a bummer that she didn't run. In 2004 there were 2 female competitors from Afghanistan.
4 comments:
Thank you for this post. It was really inspiring. Esp the last paragraph. :)
I hope Fekri really do it well. She deserves it..
I put the reuters' link on my blog too, for people to read.
It just goes to show you that not all Arab countries still live with their heads up their asses... I'm looking at you, Saudi Arabia, for banning women for competing all-together.
Kudos for the countries of those athletes shown here for joining the contemporary world.
(and thanks for the props, Ms. Opinion!)
Shahrzaad,
Yes, Fekri is on my list of Olympians to pay attention to (and on Reuters list too Yay!)
Your blog is cute! Thanks for stopping by.
ms.missive,
I was already sure that not all Arab countries are the same. Saudi has come quite a way from tribal desert culture in the 60's before oil money really hit it big. Look at Dubai... they've REALLY grown, changed and adapted. They made some seriously brilliant investments too.
People, groups, businesses, cultures and cities change gradually over time. Sometimes, we can't see the change in ourselves; we look in the mirror everyday. Yet, friends and loved ones can see it much better... they have an outside view.
Rome wasn't built in a day, as they say.
Perhaps the winter Olympics can have a few female Saudi snowboarders or something. They can travel to Dubai and practice in the world's largest indoor ski slope :). Although with all their ski gear, who'd know if they were hijabis?
Peace,
aisha
That archer -- is it Khadija Abbouda? -- she looks great!
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