London 2012 Olympics: Saudi Arabian Judo Athlete Will Compete in Headscarf: Right or Wrong?

If she believes she should wear it...

Who cares what she wears, maybe she is the first Saudi Ninja


It doesn't matter now the International Judo Federation say's she can't wear her head scarf, say's it's a safety concern

Great question :) There is no easy answer for PC dogmatists, is there? Allow the headscarf, and you tolerate a sign of gender oppression in the Middle East, which could be seen as silent agreement with female slavery. Forbid the scarf, and you're discriminating against a religion (and, worse, against a culture).

Even I have to admit that I'm in two minds about this, despite the fact that I'm a true freethinker who doesn't subscribe to any ready-made ideology and isn't weighed down by PC dogma. On one hand, dress codes are dress codes, and there is no reason why religious people should be exempt from rules that apply to everybody else. On the other hand, the Olympics are about peace, international goodwill and cultural tolerance. Besides, there is no telling if she is forced to wear the headscarf under the threat of punishment or if it's her own free choice. Probably a bit of both. All things considered, a headscarf is no big deal I guess, so what harm is there in making an exception.

... but oh so PC.

I'm all for religious freedom, however, I feel like the Olympics are a place where people arent seen as men, women, Asians, Africans, Americans, Europeans, Latinos, etc., but as athletes. I feel like the head scarf kind of takes away from that. It's kind of distracting.

After reading the article and being more informed I say it's right. It would be wrong if they weren't using a safety compliant headscarf. Why should we interfere with a culture simply because we don't agree with it.

It is sad that womeen are still depreciated and treated like slaves.
The headscarf is said to protect women from the greed of men - but education and not hidden faces should incite men to respect women as their equals.

rules are rules

The rules are in place for safety reasons. They are using a safety compliant headscarf.

Oh God Really! God Bless America

I join in the "Who Really Cares" group. Now if she were wearing a full dress kimino to a fencing match, another story, but the close fitted scarf thing will do nothing to enhance her abilities or provide any advantage.

does her opponent get to pull on the scarf during matches???

YEP....Better to choke her with it. (Not trying to be offensive....but, ever little advanage helps.)

Just pretend that she is a Ninja !

I suppose an Indian Sheik would keep on a turban and a Jew would keep on his yamaka (or whatever they call it. I find a religion requiring a certain clothing strange but to each his own. hard to believe all this man made religious rules have anything to do with being a good citizen, human being, or whatever.

I don't disagree with you, but do you think a Sikh Judo athlete would be allowed to wear his Kirpan (sword)? Sikhs must carry a sharp sword or dagger at all times, even on a plane. I find that an interesting hypothetical question :)

who really cares come on.

Anotherr example of in your face obstinance of the Muslims not following the rules of the sport, and deciding how they want to participate and the hell with rules. The really abusive part of this is the committee changing the rules to cater to one individual. So should they just ignore the rules in every Olympic sport. What they should have done is disqualify this girl and make her dress like the other contestants or she doesn't compete.
Maybe they should just bow down to these people and give her the Gold medal, which is what would satisfy her, Allah Akbar!

Do the rules say one must be bare-headed? NO.

Hey Warren! your trying to make excuses for someone who is trying to throw a monkey wrench into the fray. This is just another case of we will do want we want, not what the rules say. No the rules don't say you have to be bare headed, neither does the rules say you can defy the rules for a religious belief. I'll guarantee that you are an Obama follower.
The rules committee swallowed hard and turned cowardly and allowed special favors to someone they fear will toss a bomb if they don't get their way. Sounds just like Obama when he has to follow the constitution, after all he's a Muslim too.

The rules were in place for safety reasons... Which is why they agreed to a safety compliant headscarf.

RikiXa, all I have to say in response is one word, BALONEY!

If the RULE does not require a bare head, wear a pink and blue snood for your long hair if you want, just because the head cover is a religious item should not do anything any more in that regard. A head cover is totally neutral according to the rules to the point of not even being mentioned, nothing is being changed about the sport that generally does not allow head use in any event..

Allright Warren, Lets go along with your logic, now I'll add a little of my own. If wearing her burka is now allowed then there is no rule against her opponent getting a hold on the burka and getting her in a strangle hold and make your tap out and thereby losing the match. Problem solved and you just help solve the dilemma, so congratulations Warren. So the fact that there is no mention of wearing something on your head there can also be no mention of using the burka as a means to defeat you opponent.

Who said anything about a bhurka, that, by the way, goes from the top of head to the ground and includes long sleeves and a face veil?

It said a head covering, very much like an old style SNOOD http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... , worn by many working women and others to keep hair out of their faces or work; to this day, these head coverings are worn, even by men in food service and other hair controlled areas.

I am sick of the muslims and their culture being forced upon us. Every time I see a jihab or birka it just reminds me of the terrible way they treat women. Here a little boy wears a rosary to school and they make him take it off because it is :offensive" to some. Well, I say this garb is "offensive" to me. Why to we have to have this in the Olympics?

glad to have the Saudi women finally compete

That's her culture - how could it be wrong for her to remain true to her beliefs?

Because it means the Olympic judges need to waste their time making special arrangements to break rules that have stood for ages. Do you think she was aware of the rules in her sport and was aware it would be a problem before NOW? Don't you think it was presumptuous on her part to assume that special accommodations would be made for her? Do you suppose her coach might have thought to make a call or send a letter to pave the way? Or, does it suit the purposes of Islam to whine and bitch on a more public stage?

Well, I'm assuming she has competed before? Did all of her other competitions have the same rules as the Olympics (was Judo available in ancient Greece - if not, then I wouldn't claim it's a "rule that have stood for ages")? If yes, then she has most likely competed in her religious garb before.... and if it wasn't a problem in the other competitions, why would it be a problem with the Olympics.
I take it you're not a fan of Muslims?

I'm not a fan of of self proclaimed victims. It just so happens that Muslims use the tactic often.

Yeah, I would assume that an athlete in the Olympics has competed a couple times before. It's not my responsibility to find out when judo became an Olympic sport. But the Olympics have their own rules - and it's not my responsibility to know how they are developed.

It seems reasonable to expect the athlete to aware of the rules within his/her sport. And, further to take some action before a couple days before the competition if they have a problem with the rules. If the athlete instead makes his/her complaint on the world stage of the Olympics, yes, I am suspicious of the motive. And yes, I'm the type that would 'profile' the fact that she is Muslim and that she would use the whole event for yet another 'oh the poor, downtrodden Muslim' moment.

I have a hunch some arsewipe made an objection, that is probably the only reason the question was even brought up.

You seem like an angry person. Sorry this whole thing got your panties in such a twist but if I can offer one suggestion - don't take life so seriously.

Thanks for the advice regarding my underwear.

You think I take life too seriously eh? How about Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani, how should she take life in your opinion? After all she's the one that will be taking all the abuse when she goes home. Her countrymen believe that she has shamed herself and her country. And you know those whack Muslims when THEY get their panties in a twist; heads start rollin!

Oh, what ever - just another beheading. I shouldn't take things so serious I guess.

"you shouldn't take things so seriously"

OK - I'll start with you.

bitchin

was her choice to wear what she wanted