Saudi Judo Fighter Will Now Be Allowed to Wear Islamic Headscarf During Olympic Competition
- Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:16pm by
Billy Hallowell
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LONDON (AP) — A female judo fighter from Saudi Arabia will be allowed to compete in the Olympics wearing a form of headscarf after a compromise was reached that respects the “cultural sensitivity” of the Muslim kingdom.
Judo officials had previously said they would not let Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani compete in a headscarf because it was against the principles of the sport and raised safety concerns.
FILE - In this , Friday, July 27, 2012 file photo, Saudi Arabia's Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani, parades, along with her team, during the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
But an agreement was reached after several days of IOC-brokered talks between the International Judo Federation and the Saudi Olympic Committee that clears the way for her to compete Friday in the heavyweight division.
“They have a solution that works for both parties, all parties involved,’” International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams said. “The athlete will compete.”
The agreement was later formally announced in a joint statement by the judo federation and the Saudi committee.
“Working with the IOC, a proposal was approved by all parties,” the statement said. “The solution agreed guarantees a good balance between safety and cultural considerations.”
Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani, the judoka’s father, declined to describe what changes — if any — will be made to his daughter’s head cover for the competition.
He told The Associated Press his daughter has been training with women at a special facility in London for an hour and a half every day since she arrived with her parents and her brother. Shahrkhani said his daughter, who has a blue belt in judo, is preparing for Friday’s fight in seclusion.
“It‘s her first time in competition and it’s the Olympic Games, so she is focused on that,” Shahrkhani said.
Saudi Arabia, which had never sent female athletes to the Olympics before, brought its two first female Olympians to London on condition they adhere to the kingdom’s Islamic traditions, including wearing a headscarf.
Shahrkhani’s participation was thrown into doubt last week when judo officials said a headscarf could be dangerous because of chokeholds and aggressive grabbing techniques.
Without giving precise details, Adams said the headscarf agreement is in line with Asian judo rules and is “safety compliant but allows for cultural sensitivity.’”
“In Asia, judo is a common practice so they asked for something that would be compliant with that, and the judo federations have reached a compromise that both are happy with,” he said.
Asian judo federations have previously allowed Muslim women to wear the headscarf, known as a hijab, during major competitions. Headscarves are allowed in taekwondo, but taekwondo fighters also wear a headguard, which covers the headscarf.
Shahrkhani may be the first judoka to fight at the Olympics who does not hold a black belt in judo, a Japanese martial art. She did not qualify for her Olympic spot like most of the other judo fighters. The IOC extended a special invitation for her to compete as part of negotiations to bring Saudi women to the Olympics for the first time. The other Saudi female athlete to compete in London is 19-year-old Sarah Attar, a California-based 800-meter runner.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei had been the only three countries that had never fielded female Olympians in their teams. With all three now including women, these are the first Olympics in which every competing nation — 205 — is represented by female competitors.
“Our aim is that we want to have women from all national Olympic committees competing in the games,” Adams said. “Clearly one of those that is new is Saudi. We want to make sure we give a maximum chance for women from every NOC to take part in the games.”
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Comments (101)
bigsdawg
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:39amDon’t worry. This will end quickly.
Report Post »mikem1969
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:22amOnce again someone bows to the flase religion of islam, yet an AMERICAN can’t wear red, white and blue grill. I claim discrimination against the USA.
Report Post »XScramblerX
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:05amIt’s time to stop watching this circus of one sided progressive crap! That’s all it is is crap! The IOCC (international olympic communist committee) is as useless as **** on a bull. I haven‘t watched a singal event and don’t intend to. A bunch of pompous global elites snubbing the world.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:08amThere may be a man under that getup.
Report Post »FatManChew
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:17am@XScramblerX That is completely false. The **** from the bull can help fertilize the earth while all of the **** from the IOC kills the spirit of the games.
Report Post »bigsdawg
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:35amI predict her first match to last 12 seconds or less. Heavy Weight Saudi “Blue Belt” with a head scarf is really gonna embarrass the Saudi team. She has no idea the skill that will assault her.
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 7:33amShe loses and she can expect to be stoned to death by her homeland.
Report Post »AngryDwarf
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:56pmAs long as they don‘t make a ruling that the Hajib can’t be used against her, I don’t care.
Report Post »Blue belt?!?!
Inside of 30 sec., THUD- “Ippon!”- then she can go home with her Hajib tucked between her legs.
Diane TX
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:25amOne case where wearing a scarf was not a good idea:
Isadora Duncan (May 27, 1877 — September 14, 1927) was a dancer, considered by many to be the creator of modern dance. Born in the United States, she lived in Western Europe and the Soviet Union from the age of 22 until her death at age 50. In the United States she was popular only in New York, and only later in her life. She performed to acclaim throughout Europe.
Duncan’s fondness for flowing scarves was the cause of her death in an automobile accident in Nice, France when she was passenger in an Amil-car, and her silk scarf, draped around her neck, became entangled around the open-spoke wheels and rear axle, breaking her neck.
Some scarves can be very dangerous to the wearer.
Report Post »Guerrino_P
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 7:19amFinally, a Blazer who writes using a brain. Unlike other Blazers who attack Islam while defending freedom of religion at the same time, you DianeTX write about the safety issues regarding scarves in sport. No Muslim this and Muslim that. DianeTX, you are a breath of fresh air.
Report Post »sta
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 7:36amI had a similar thing happen with a scarf in the 70′s. It trailed as I closed the door of my father’s car. Luckily, it was sheer nylon and not silk. The tire ran over it and it snapped but not before giving me a good bruise around my neck. Only by the Grace of God am I here.
I think a cover like the “Blue Man Group” wears or the one piece body suits of divers but made of a breathable material should be fine.
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:08amHEY G-P.
Report Post »Islam gets attacked by freedom of religion loving people because ISLAM’S GOAL IS THE DESTRUCTION OF ALL OTHER RELIGION. spin the wheel or buy a vowel because you can‘t solve the puzzle you don’t even have a clue.
Guerrino_P
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:37amHey JOHNJAMISON,
You just proved my point.
Report Post »avgconservative
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:55pmYou Guerrino_P, are a pompous pig.
Report Post »zoro51
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:02amwhom BOWS to murdering MUSLUMS at the olympics.. alloweinga DISH RAG on thier heads GEE WOW.. the main part is CAVING IN to MURDERING MUSLUMS demands.. F.O.A.D olympics u scuk the asses of marxists and MURDERS.,.. piss off
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:59amYou sound like you just came here fresh from commenting on Youtube.
Report Post »RRFlyer
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:40amZoro51 your grammar is almost as good as your spelling. Hang in there, in a decade or two maybe someone will read your blather
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:53amI’ll give the Saudis credit for forward thinking, although it has NOTHING to do with women’s rights. I’ll break it down for you: 1) Allow a few (totally unqualified) women “compete” in the games. 2) Choose a full contact, potentially dangerous sport, like Judo. 3) Insist that she be allowed to compete in her hijab. 4) Wait for her to be humiliated and/or injured, hopefully by her opponent using the hijab against her. 5) Present your well-planned list of Demands to the Western World.
Report Post »Get it? It ain’t Rocket Surgery.
bamanana
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:52amThe olympics will not be watched in our home. The world has gone mad.
Report Post »pschlentz
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:05amI’m with you, we’re sooooo done with all this crap!
Report Post »Cadcamtrainer
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:44amSame here. We used to donate to the US Olimpic Comitee. Not any more, not after the got the uniforms made in China. I rather donate to the USSPCA. We give money to the local SPCA. Now they are going to get even more……
Report Post »USA-Ron
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:45amthe way they must dress is ok for them
but, NOT in my world
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:46amGreat. Now I can walk into Mecca without worry, with my beautiful wife in bikini on my arm. I‘m so happy we’re all multicultural now!
Oh, wait…
Report Post »bamanana
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:53amThe olympics is a joke this year.
Report Post »Walter P
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:42amGuess I’m going to have to watch the female 800 meter race to see what uniform Ms Attar wears during her race. It’d look like a Borat movie if she competed in hijab and burkha (sp?)
Report Post »TulsaYeeHaw
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:28amGo Israel.
Report Post »BHOHG2G
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:16amMy culture would dictate that I be allowed to Pack thy Holy TAZER!
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:25amHow about the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch.
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:38amThe one Brother Maynard carries with him?
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:47amOnly if you can count to five…THREE!…before you release it, my liege!
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:17amI’ve never heard of it called the “Muslim kingdom” before. Maybe I just don’t know much of that culture, but it seems like a weird word usage to me.
I long for the day when people no longer put a supernatural aspect to their underwear, headgear, facial hair or anything else.
Report Post »OhSnappage
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:13amFine, can her opponents wear the traditional bandannas with, I dunno, a star of david on it? How about Mexico wears a traditional, I dunno, drug cartel representation armband? Maybe it’ll be okay for say, I dunno, Germany wears there traditional nazi cross wristbands?
Look the sport itself has the requirements to compete, everyone meets on equal footing. based of there own merits, If they are unable to do so, then guess what, you’re not competing!!! The Olympics are not the forum to incite or make lifestyle/political/cultural messages! These people should not be allowed to compete unless they can display the respect and acceptance of others as equals.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:03amOr…A competitor wearing a Crusader’s Cross and Sword as a Tabard?
Report Post »Quagaar Warrior
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:03am~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Report Post »She better pray to her Allah that when she falls to her knees after getting her sorry muslim butt kicked, she’s facing Mecca!
I just hope it’s one of our girls that slams her down!!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Constructionist
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:57pmThis gal is a blue belt and competing in the Olympics? Religion-dictated modesty will be the least of her concerns, lol.
Report Post »TumbleBumble
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:52amlol! I know, right? Plus this is her first time in a competition. I want to see this match. :)
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:02amNeither of you get it. This poor woman was sent to the Olympics SPECIFICALLY to be humiliated and injured, hopefully by her own hijab being used against her; the more severely, the better. She is a PR tool of Saudi Sharia Law. Can’t wait to hear their demands afterwords.
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 5:18amBlues For Allah. The song playin‘ after’ll be ‘Hearts And Flowers’. Denny’s breakfast SLAM!
Report Post »Government_Goodies
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:52pmI’m really sick of seeing Islam constantly demanding special treatment AND GETTING IT!
I really hope this girl gets her falafel handed to her.
Report Post »sasquatch08
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:57pmLol, if she wants to wear that and take the risks that accompany basically wearing a scarf in a martial arts match the IOC should allow it…
Now if she dies or loses because she‘s choked or strangled by it that’s her problem.
Personally I do Karate and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and you won’t find me anywhere near a mat with something like that on my head/neck… just another item for your opponent to grab.
Report Post »kralspaces
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:51pmI can‘t wait to see what happens about the Muslim girl on ’The Glee Project’. I thought for sure that Ryan would get rid of her this week to avoid all the crap that will be raised if she wins a spot on next seasons show. The girl is very Westernized, but still very Muslin at the same time. The Imams are not going to like it.
Report Post »strewth_cobber
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:43amIf opponent is smart and quick enough, likely she will just pull the wool down over the eyes.
Unlike, when New Ager acquaintance who described having raki ‘therapy’ and hands were placed above her third eye (forehead) – claimed she couldn’t see (her real eyes were wide open, however). She punched me when I wandered around the pub saying “I can’t see! I can’t see! I’m blind! (with my palm over my forehead and not covering my wide-open eyes). Fortunately, the rest of us had a good laugh. (Maybe she should go for Olympic Boxing?)
Report Post »BIgWheeler
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:44pmMake your jokes, but remember Rome wasn’t built in a day. The fact that Saudi women are allowed to compete at all is a big step forward.
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:51pmSorry, BIG, there’s no Delusional Writing competition in the modern Olympics, not even as a trial, exhibition sport.
Report Post »vic138
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:52pmYour right, next thing you know they’ll be allowed to drive….
Report Post »vic138
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:56pmAnd after they are allowed to drive a car, they will, someday, be allowed to dress as they want, then, eventually, after much discussion, enjoy sex.
Report Post »Apple Bite
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:31amYou got to be able to walk the streets without getting rape, before you can drive…
That’s not a sexist remark, we’ve seen and heard about how women are treated in the streets in Muslim countries.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:17amI’m inclined to agree, Bigwheeler.
Initially I thought that this was wrong, and that the IOC should not cave in. But, after thinking about it, I now agree with you.
If she does a credible job (it’s a given that she will not get very far) and shows some courage and determination, then perhaps she will encourage other young woman in Saudi to take up the sport. It may open a crack in the wall of the barbaric kingdom in which she lives. The kingdom can hardly squash female participation in the sport now. And perhaps they will begin to compete in other sports in the future.
As they progress up the competition ladder in the future, it may be that they demand the dropping of that silly handicap. One cannot make another to change their ways, particularly in religion, by force or exclusion. One must attract them.
And as a side benefit, it would do no harm for young women in that Godforsaken country to know how to defend themselves…
Report Post »kryptonite
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:42pmDry run?
Report Post »Apple Bite
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:33amFor the Olympics? Probably….
Report Post »howardroark1165
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:41pmI am getting so sick and tired of the entire world bending over forward and cow-towing to the Muslims.
Report Post »ICANHANDLETHETRUTH
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:36pmBARBARIANS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! nuff said
Report Post »Z
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:36pmIf you don’t like the rules of the game then choose not to play the game. So sick of PC
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:31pmpull it over her eyes
then introduce her to the mat
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:29pmAre explosives optional?
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:35pmAchmed the Dead Terrorist says “No, but I Keel you.” Booom.
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:24pmain.t gonna wear no grill tho…
Report Post »vic138
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:24pmI hope ‘her’ (assuming its a female) opponent uses it to pull it over her head and uses it to choke her out.
Report Post »booger71
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:41pmAnd take a big chunk of hair with it.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on July 31, 2012 at 11:21pmCan they also use the suicide vest?
Report Post »StraightDave
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 12:34amI think “blown yourself up” is an event in the 2016 games for all middle east countries. Gold medal goes to the one with the biggest blast radius of blood and guts.
Report Post »Government_Goodies
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:54pmHIS EYES RED! HIS FACE BLACK!
Awesome handle, sir!
Report Post »