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| Olde Tyme Religion |
| Experts Say Islam Encourages Sports for All |
| 2004-08-18 |
| From Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty ... Experts say Islam encourages sports and physical activity for all -- the Prophet Mohammed is said to have invited his wife, Aisha, to a foot race and finished a distant second. ... But in some conservative Muslim countries, sports are permissible only if strict guidelines on modesty are observed. For women, that means covering their bodies and hair. In a handful of countries like Iran, it even means prohibiting women from participating in sports unless there are no men nearby. ... In most sports, Islamic robes and head scarves would make it impossible for an athlete to perform at her best. There are some exceptions. Olympic competitors Lida Fariman (Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996) and Manijeh Kazemi (Sydney 2000) both wore the hijab and chador when competing for Iran in pistol- and rifle-shooting. .... Mahin Gorji, a journalist in Tehran who specializes in women's sports, says Islamic clothing requirements prohibit Iranian women from competing in most Olympic sports. In others, where robes and head scarves would not be a detriment, the sportswomen are simply not good enough. "[Iran's] women have not been able to meet [the Olympic] standard in Taekwondo and canoeing. They cannot compete in volleyball or swimming or any of the sports other women in the world can participate in, because of dress restrictions. So only Nassim Hassanpour will participate in the Olympics," Gorji said. .... |
| Posted by:Mike Sylwester |
| #11 At least there won't be an 'Elian' repeat (hopefully)... |
| Posted by: Pappy 2004-08-18 11:57:26 PM |
| #10 nice report yesterday on the kid - he's coming to America right now |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-08-18 6:31:36 PM |
| #9 this in off topic but is anyone else see em stevo on fox news? he is 14 year old who is help em marines in iraq. they are try get him to america cuz him mom was kill for him helping. |
| Posted by: muck4doo 2004-08-18 6:24:28 PM |
| #8 |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2004-08-18 6:21:52 PM |
| #7 Time for the Talibanized soccer pic again? |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2004-08-18 10:35:44 AM |
| #6 JerseyMike: not in the arab world. Them 9-year-old girls gots to move fast! |
| Posted by: BH 2004-08-18 10:27:33 AM |
| #5 Prophet Mohammed is said to have invited his wife, Aisha, to a foot race and finished a distant second Most adults can outrun a 9 year old. |
| Posted by: JerseyMike 2004-08-18 10:10:36 AM |
| #4 Let a town dog off the lead in the country... |
| Posted by: Howard UK 2004-08-18 4:17:32 AM |
| #3 [T]he Prophet Mohammed is said to have invited his wife, Aisha, to a foot race and finished a distant second. Well, this shoots the whole premise. If she were that far out in front they'd be referring to her as his "ex-wife". |
| Posted by: AzCat 2004-08-18 4:01:47 AM |
| #2 Burkha beach volleyball. Yea! |
| Posted by: ed 2004-08-18 1:41:32 AM |
| #1 Just like South Africa [was] banned [from the Olympics] for nearly 30 years because of its apartheid policy, we want the countries who do not allow women to participate to be excluded from the Games. Works for me. Either that or all of them must face a first round elimination against Israeli athletes. Joke 'em if they can't take a f&%k. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2004-08-18 12:43:48 AM |