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Experts Say Islam Encourages Sports for All
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 2004-08-18 |
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