Can I choose to wear a head SCARF as a symbol of my identity as a strong Muslim American woman. That has never prevented my taking part in sports. He was an avid basketball player in high school, playing not only for my school but for a local basketball league in Reston, Virginia, and attending religious basketball camps during summers. Sports credit as having shaped my character, my teaches the importance of teamwork. The idea to deny that the experience is devastating.
So, I am surprised by discrimination from the World Football Federation FIFA ban girls in headscarves from international competition. It was a reminder to me that sports for women are still not open to all women.
Wasn't until I saw the recent pictures of the heartbroken Iranian women footballers refused the opportunity to play that FIFA ban hits home. Think of how this rule, had applied to me, could have been stripped from a cultural experience as a young Muslim athlete. And I thought of Thuraya Hazer, 13 years old my neighbor. The Iranian-American, lives and breathes soccer. Her father's family is from Tehran and mother's family is from the USA. Those who chose to wear the headscarf, and never imagined one day will be a hindrance for his dream of playing in an international forum v. the reality is that the headscarf ban on football affects not only the Iranian women. Affect women everywhere in Muslim countries. There were three Jordanian women who requested not to play because they wore headscarves, causing a division within a group. This prohibition is that women can be active and involved, if only their embrace secular norms. Women will start with are the ones that fit our image of what should be women, and others are not literally play. An Arab spring shadows, and a changing global context, I would imagine that the days of divide and conquer has passed.
In an ideal world, telling women what they can and cannot wear it should offend all activists of women's rights. There is once again an attempt to regulate a woman's dress. From Saudi Arabia, women in France, Muslims are told what is the correct amount of clothing. In both cases, lacks the freedom of choice. It is sad to see this debate made way in the sport arena. The fact that it is less instead of more clothing should make less offensive for women who care about individual choice, autonomy and freedom.
In fact, the inclusion of women is important not only for the defenders of women's rights. It is important for all those who love sport and understand its potential to transform their lives. The United Nations, it has recognized this potential, we adopt a resolution recognizing the potential of sport in promoting tolerance, social cohesion '. Announcing an action plan in 2010, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon called for the defence of the principle of "sport for all".
understanding that "sports for all", but truly understood sports for those who comply with secular norms.
FIFA's argument that compromised almost as bad as Taliban and argued that women riding a horse will lose their virginity. The excuses for barring women from sport is not new, and reflect a larger trend: the use of both secular and fundamentalist-religion-women dress code as a proxy for the clash of civilizations.
The argument that FIFA is trying to prevent religious statements about field is at least more realistic and honest. But this argument, too, are uncompelling. Thuraya reminds me that the typical backdrop for a soccer player is rushing the field to make the sign of the cross, Kiss the ground and rush. This is not becoming more religious.
That leaves us with final argument of FIFA, trying to avoid a political statement.
But this is not the practice of banning the headscarf as a political act in the same? The allegation that the wearing of the headscarf is necessarily a political statement is simply false. Many Muslim women choose to wear a headscarf as a reflection of their faith. The ban on the headscarf in sports is a devastating loss for all those who believe in individual freedom and the potential of sport to transform lives and built bridges between cultures. Is access to a group of women to have a life changing experience. The current leg FIFA is a real test for international solidarity feminist. The question in the minds of Muslim women should stand against oppression only? Or will they join the voices of their own feminist sisters?
Bio: Manal Omar is Director of Iraq and Iran's programs in the United States Institute of peace. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
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