Aug 1, 2012 -- 11:25AM, 3neez wrote:

I groan. Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani, has forced organizers, the international judo federation and the Saudi Olympic Committee to huddle again and again in search of a solution because of her Hijab.

''I doubt it is Islamic to play judo,'' Sheikh Abul-Kheir Ahmed, a cleric who teaches law and Islamic jurisdiction at Cairo's Al-Azhar University, the region's premier religious institution, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. ''Men will be looking at her and she will likely be wearing form-fitting attire.''

Others, including some hard-line women, were even more insistent that a compromise, any compromise, cannot be adequate.

''Any agreement (with the Olympics Committee) has come at the expense of her hijab and her commitment and faith,'' said Alaa Ahmed, a producer for Maria TV, the first pan-Arabic channel to feature only fully veiled women. ''She can play for herself in a place for women only, but not on an international stage in front of men to win a medal at the expense of countering her religion. ... She should not please this world in exchange for the hereafter.''
 
Bad planning on their part and still groaning.

Whether they be hardline Muslims, or various US politicians,  I have zero respect for people who dismiss "compromise" out of hand.

If they are unwilling to try to find a compromise, they can feel free to stay home (or, not run for Congress, as the case may be).

Claudia

Alas, to some people that is "form fitting"

Here is the thing, if one thinks one will be offended by watching a Judo match, don't watch it. If one thinks it violates the norms of ones group, one should tell people in one's group that it violates the norms of the group and not to watch it.

I won't be watching any judo matches and I do not find them offensive. Judo just is not my thing.

On the other hand, if this were the biggest problem in the world, it would not be so bad.

Aug 1, 2012 -- 11:25AM, 3neez wrote:

I groan. Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani, has forced organizers, the international judo federation and the Saudi Olympic Committee to huddle again and again in search of a solution because of her Hijab.....

Why should I care?

I am glad that a compromised was acheieved for this one female saudi athelete.  I have read alot of commentary that this is a sham, that they are not serious about promoting women's atheletics, etc.  That is not for me to analyze too much.  I will say, I feel greatfull not to be a Saudi woman and have a bunch of men pontificate if I am doing religion in the right way. 

Also, it speaks to what is really a much more modern affectation of Islam, the Hijab.  Yes it has always existed, even before Islam.  But this idea that hijab is the most important thing a muslim woman can do and the one thing that shold never be compromised is not a consistant, historical attitude.  People were much more relaxed about it. 

At least the KSA is trying, albeit in a very flawed manner.  This story reminds me of another current topic out of KSA where one of the first female elected  officials (to the cabinet or parliment? )   had a hissy fit becasue there are a couple of photos of her circulating without her veil.  The fact is she does not ALWAYS wear her veil because there are pictures of her out in public without it.  But she has to pretend to be outraged and angry. 

She participates with her colleges via closed video monitor where she sits in a room alone while all her male collegues are together.  She can see and hear them on the monitor but they can only hear her voice, not see her. 

Aug 1, 2012 -- 5:24PM, rocketjsquirell wrote:

Claudia

Alas, to some people that is "form fitting"

Here is the thing, if one thinks one will be offended by watching a Judo match, don't watch it. If one thinks it violates the norms of ones group, one should tell people in one's group that it violates the norms of the group and not to watch it.

I won't be watching any judo matches and I do not find them offensive. Judo just is not my thing.

On the other hand, if this were the biggest problem in the world, it would not be so bad.

The positive here is that, Saudi Arabia is sending women and we are discussing the issue. I am sure once things are sorted out, it will not be a "Hot topic" for a long time. Because this will become "Normal"....