Saudi Arabia Sends Two Women Athletes To Compete In London Olympics. Is This A Step In The Right Direction For Females To Achieve Equality In Muslim Countries?

by Tigger Too Posted 2012/07/14 12:13:12

Related Topics: Muslim, Olympics, Rights, Saudi Arabia, Sarah, London, Negotiations, Invitation, Athlete

22 votes
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	Yes	12 votes	55%
	No	3 votes	14%
	Undecided	7 votes	32%

The London Olympics will be the first ever to include women athletes from every competing nation after Saudi Arabia agreed to send female athletes, following protracted negotiations and heavy lobbying. Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani in judo and 800-meter runner Sarah Attar will take part in the Olympics. Although neither of the athletes had qualified to compete in the Olympics, they received special invitations from the International Olympic Committee "based on the quality of the athletes."

IOC President Jacques Rogge said he is "very pleased" that Saudi Arabia had finally agreed to send female athletes. "We've looked at those who are the closest to qualifying standards and those were these two athletes. That's always the bottom line in all these invitations."

Rights groups have hailed the decision as a step forward for Saudi women, but said the fundamental problem of segregation remained firmly in place.

Is This A Step In The Right Direction For Females To Achieve Equality In Muslim Countries?

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D D 2012/07/14 14:46:43

Yes

+4
I cannot see this as having much effect on things but I guess you have to start somewhere.
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More polls by Tigger Too

JD 2012/08/13 11:24:32
Tigger Too to JD 2012/08/25 16:45:28

Thanks for your response, JD!

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Tigger Too 2012/07/16 19:01:22

Yes

+3
The wheels of change turn slowly, and that's even more true in Islamic countries. IMO, Saudi Arabia sending two female athletes to compete in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London is one small baby-step for women's rights in the Muslim world.

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Bingo's... to Tigger Too 2012/07/16 19:13:11

+1
I hope they defect and emigrate to a sane country. I doubt they would be very welcome in the UK or the US, and that's a shame.

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Tigger Too to Bingo's... 2012/07/16 19:18:03

+2
I doubt that these two ladies will get the chance to defect to another country. You see, the Saudi Arabian government is sending "chaperons" to accompany the women while they're in London. Believe me, those two gals aren't going ANYWHERE. I just hope that their presence doesn't "up" the terrorism threat while they're there.

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Bingo's... to Tigger Too 2012/07/17 14:29:35

+1
There's always the window in the ladies room! I'm sure they can get out if they want but then there's their family back home..... Just like the Nazi's in the 1930s and the Russians until 1991.
London is ripe for an attack, I hope they're as good as the Americans in preventing one. I'm gonna root for those ladies.

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Tigger Too to Bingo's... 2012/07/17 19:19:36

+1
I find it pretty scary that the British government, mere days from the start of the Summer Olympic games, is now saying that they don't have enough security. What the hell were they thinking? Now they're going to bring in troops, and they're giving people crash courses in airport security. However, I think it's too little, too late. As soon as London was awarded the Olympics, YEARS AGO, the British government should have started on their security plans. In today's dangerous world, a terrorist attack is ALWAYS possible, especially at big events like the Olympics, God forbid.

You're right that those poor Saudi Arabian female athletes could try climbing out the bathroom window, but I'm pretty sure that their government has the bathroom windows covered, too! You're also 100% correct that Muslim nations discourage their citizens from defecting by holding their families hostage. It's disgusting.

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Bingo's... to Tigger Too 2012/07/18 15:13:21

+1
To be fair, it's not just Muslim theocracies that use terror tactics to control their citizens. They just get more press. Some predominately Muslim countries allow
their citizens complete freedom. Like Egypt. Gonna get real interesting there again real soon. Their first election since God invented grapes went rather well; so far.

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Tigger Too to Bingo's... 2012/08/02 22:39:05

+1
You're 100% right that it's not just Muslim theocracies who use terror tactics to control their citizens. Many African countries, such as Angola and Darfur, are run by dictators, and tribal warfare is rampant. Of course, Angola and Darfur aren't sitting on a big oilfield either.

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Bingo's... to Tigger Too 2012/08/03 12:56:00

+1
That's why your country pulled out of Somalia some time ago; there was no point. What disturbs me is why you didn't get a deal from Iraq? Probably something went down that didn't make the papers. Look at the Congo! there are times, when the wind is right, that we actually hear distant gunfire and no one knows who's in charge from day to day. The reason for Afghanistan is obvious.

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Tigger Too to Bingo's... 2012/08/25 16:41:21
Bingo's... to Tigger Too 2012/08/25 19:18:12

+1
I "spoke" to someone on his way back to Iraq a few years ago. He said Halliburton was in charge of the food served and they pretty much charged by the piece, and charged heavily. The troops were forbidden from bitching and ordered to keep their mouths shut about the situation. If you know anyone that was there, ask them.

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Tigger Too to Bingo's... 2012/08/25 20:15:58
D D to Bingo's... 2012/07/17 09:04:35

+2
The defecting idea crossed my mind too. I'm sure they will have tons of guards.

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Bingo's... to D D 2012/07/17 14:31:44

+2
And their families waiting at a recreation facility until they get home. I've changed my mind about the defecting thing; I doubt it will happen. I'm not a fan of the Saud family. Nasty hypocrites.

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Jaiheena Star 2012/07/16 18:50:29

Yes

+2
I hope so! Saudi has too many time worn customs.

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Tigger Too to Jaiheen... 2012/07/16 19:08:28

+1
I certainly hope so, too! Thanks for your response, Jaiheena Star, and have a great day!

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Jaiheen... to Tigger Too 2012/07/16 19:09:53

+1
:)

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Jaiheen... to Tigger Too 2012/07/16 19:15:34

+1
I have a friend from Saudi Arabia and I hate to see her "OUTCASTED FOR HAVING A BABY AND NOT BEING MARRIED". THE FAMILY HELPS TAKE CAR OF THE LITTLE BOY, BUT THE OUTCASTING HAS GOT TO GO:(

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Tigger Too to Jaiheen... 2012/07/16 19:19:27

Actually, she should probably be glad that she didn't end up as a victim of an "honor killing." Thank goodness the family is helping her care for the baby.

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Jaiheen... to Tigger Too 2012/07/16 20:15:44

+1
My thoughs exactly! She had the baby hear in the US IF she would have vanished wothout a trace the AFAM COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE GONE WILD. THE BABY IS ARAB/AFAM.

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Marianne 2012/07/16 09:59:40

Undecided

+2
It is a little step in the right direction, but the essential about introducing equal rights for women is still ahead.

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Tigger Too to Marianne 2012/07/16 18:32:00

+2
The way I see it, ANYTHING is a start! Thanks for your response, Marianne!

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Marianne to Tigger Too 2012/07/17 04:37:33

+1
You're welcome, Tigger! There is a long fight ahead.

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Oaces_b... to Marianne 2012/07/16 19:05:34
Marianne to Oaces_b... 2012/07/17 05:01:24

+2
Sadly enough, a majority of women on our planet are still second class citizens or slaves. And mentalities must change. Here in the Occident, the first women to participate in the Paris 1900 Olympic games were only a few. And it took a very long time and the 1968 events, till their rights were more or less recognised, at least legally.

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Oaces_b... to Marianne 2012/07/17 07:54:40
Marianne to Oaces_b... 2012/07/17 12:02:29

+2
I am afraid that there is not much hope.

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D D to Marianne 2012/07/17 09:14:24

+2
Rank of Islamic women.

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Marianne to D D 2012/07/17 12:04:39

+2
Unfortunately, that is a bitter truth. The great majority of women in this world are slaves.

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Tigger Too to D D 2012/08/25 20:17:55

A picture is worth a thousand words.

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Dickens 2012/07/14 15:44:46

Undecided

+3
..hey, I'm just glad to see saudi arabia being dragged, kicking and screaming, into the 16th century...

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Tigger Too to Dickens 2012/07/16 18:33:33

+1
That was a good one, my friend! Still, Islamic countries sending female athletes to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London IS a step in the right direction. Thanks for your comments, Dickens, and have a great day!

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Oaces_b... to Dickens 2012/07/16 19:06:11
jubil8 BN-0 PON 2012/07/14 15:24:07

No

+2
I wish I thought so. But "protracted negotiation and heavy lobbying" make it sound more like political tokenism than anything for women. The IOC persuaded the Saudis to send them; women athletes in Saudi haven't gained any power, nor did the Saudis apparently WANT them to go.

Otoh, it can't be a bad thing. Good luck to them. Having a Saudi woman who is a judo expert is pretty amazing itself. :)

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Tigger Too to jubil8 ... 2012/07/16 18:40:12

+2
You are correct in saying that Saudi Arabia basically had to be browbeaten and shamed by the IOC into allowing two female athletes to attend the 2012 Summer Olympics games in London. Also, Saudi Arabia is sending "chaperons" along to keep the girls "in line," and the poor women have to wear long pants, tunics and headscarves when they compete. They certainly won't win any Olympic medals, but they HAVE made an important step forward for the rights of Muslim women. Thanks for your comments, jubil8, and have a beautiful day! [I haven't seen you around here on SodaHead lately, so I hope you're doing well, my friend!]

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D D 2012/07/14 14:46:43

Yes

+4
I cannot see this as having much effect on things but I guess you have to start somewhere.

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Tigger Too to D D 2012/07/16 18:40:37

Thanks for your response, D D!

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rand 2012/07/14 13:59:56

Undecided

+2
...not if they sent 3 to the last Olympics. But if it's a first, then "yes".

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Tigger Too to rand 2012/07/16 18:43:40

+2
This is the first time Saudi Arabia is allowing women to compete in the Olympics. Now, if I'm not mistaken, they're the last Muslim country to cave in and let the gals compete. All others have already taken this step forward into the 21st century! Thanks for your response, rand, and have a beautiful day!

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