What does my hair have to do with my kick?
one more question for the Hijab brigade, what if some pious muslim woman wants to play football wearing burqa? should it be allowed or not?
Headscarves have been banned under the old hackneyed excuse of health and safety.
Sport has reared it’s ugly bigoted head yet again. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Whether it’s sexuality, gender, religion or race, sport seems to be the perpetually re-offending schoolyard bully.
Headscarves have been banned under the old hackneyed excuse of health and safety. Fifa’s ruling vaguely stipulates:
“Players must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player.”
This is an embarrassingly flaccid argument that is being stretched to absurd extremes – what about long hair, or hair ties, or sweat bands? What happens when healthy and safe alternatives are made available?
Indeed, as I’ve stated elsewhere about women’s clothing in sport, the desire of sporting authorities to impose specific sexed-up dress codes for women seems to be more an issue of attracting corporate sponsorship, rather than health and safety. And considering that Qatar is set to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the hypocrisy of this act is distinctly bile inducing.
In line with the equal rights and freedoms society is striving to achieve, women should be free to dress as they choose, and this includes hijab. The Iranian women’s football team should not be excluded for wearing hijab.
What I am not advocating, however, is a gormless acceptance of hijab on the basis of cultural relativism. And this is the real issue at stake, and something that critics of the ban are inclined to ignore.
While women may very well feel empowered by wearing a headscarf, this does not mean that hijab isn’t problematic. While it is unacceptable to ban it, it is equally unacceptable to fatuously argue that it should be permitted without engaging in a debate.
I feel statements like “men are in charge of women” are just not compliant with a society built on equal rights.
Quite simply, modern society is not a world where men are in charge of women. And if you have any problems with that – tough luck. Your opinion is no longer valid or welcome. You can disappear and lock yourself up in your prehistoric patriarchal cave of nostalgia and cry over the tragic loss of the glory days when we all worshipped the phallus.
To insist that women conceal their bodies creates a dangerously unbalanced sex
ual dichotomy. The message it sends out is:
Women are sexual meat and men are sexual predators.
This is neither fair, nor true and does gross injustice to both men and women.
Headscarves have been banned under the old hackneyed excuse of health and safety. Fifa’s ruling vaguely stipulates:
“Players must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player.”
This is an embarrassingly flaccid argument that is being stretched to absurd extremes – what about long hair, or hair ties, or sweat bands? What happens when healthy and safe alternatives are made available?
Indeed, as I’ve stated elsewhere about women’s clothing in sport, the desire of sporting authorities to impose specific sexed-up dress codes for women seems to be more an issue of attracting corporate sponsorship, rather than health and safety. And considering that Qatar is set to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the hypocrisy of this act is distinctly bile inducing.
In line with the equal rights and freedoms society is striving to achieve, women should be free to dress as they choose, and this includes hijab. The Iranian women’s football team should not be excluded for wearing hijab.
What I am not advocating, however, is a gormless acceptance of hijab on the basis of cultural relativism. And this is the real issue at stake, and something that critics of the ban are inclined to ignore.
While women may very well feel empowered by wearing a headscarf, this does not mean that hijab isn’t problematic. While it is unacceptable to ban it, it is equally unacceptable to fatuously argue that it should be permitted without engaging in a debate.
I feel statements like “men are in charge of women” are just not compliant with a society built on equal rights.
Quite simply, modern society is not a world where men are in charge of women. And if you have any problems with that – tough luck. Your opinion is no longer valid or welcome. You can disappear and lock yourself up in your prehistoric patriarchal cave of nostalgia and cry over the tragic loss of the glory days when we all worshipped the phallus.
To insist that women conceal their bodies creates a dangerously unbalanced sex
ual dichotomy. The message it sends out is:
Women are sexual meat and men are sexual predators.
This is neither fair, nor true and does gross injustice to both men and women.
Women are not merely passive recipients of sexual desire, but can be just as sexually voracious and assertive themselves – and this is not a “bad” thing. If you disagree, consider why this is so, and then question your double standard.
Equally, this dichotomy creates a culture where men see women’s bodies as a carte blanche of desire – the notion that, if girls put their booty out there then guys are entitled to pinch it, is ludicrous. Men who think this way, please learn some self control. Contrary to what this meat/predator dichotomy may implore you to think, self control is perfectly within your capability.
Furthermore, the dangers of this excuse are grave. It allows for sentiments like “Oh, she was dressed like a slut, she was asking to be raped.”
No. No. No.
The onus is 100 per cent on the perpetrator, never the victim. We cannot allow for a culture, where men feel even the tiniest bit justified in actions of violence or sexual abuse. This has been recognised by the popular protest SlutWalk, whose fundamental argument is that the way a woman dresses is no excuse for sexual harassment or abuse.
So, to Fifa and other sporting authorities – forcing women out of their hijab is patriarchal and unacceptable. To all women—Muslim and non-Muslim alike—let’s fight to level the field, let’s challenge patriarchy and oppression. And to proponents of hijab, despite having the right to it, you must be open to criticism. Using religion as a trump card is just not enough – employ your faculty of reason and engage in a real debate.
And why not here, now? Use the comment thread and I’ll respond to the points you raise.
Equally, this dichotomy creates a culture where men see women’s bodies as a carte blanche of desire – the notion that, if girls put their booty out there then guys are entitled to pinch it, is ludicrous. Men who think this way, please learn some self control. Contrary to what this meat/predator dichotomy may implore you to think, self control is perfectly within your capability.
Furthermore, the dangers of this excuse are grave. It allows for sentiments like “Oh, she was dressed like a slut, she was asking to be raped.”
No. No. No.
The onus is 100 per cent on the perpetrator, never the victim. We cannot allow for a culture, where men feel even the tiniest bit justified in actions of violence or sexual abuse. This has been recognised by the popular protest SlutWalk, whose fundamental argument is that the way a woman dresses is no excuse for sexual harassment or abuse.
So, to Fifa and other sporting authorities – forcing women out of their hijab is patriarchal and unacceptable. To all women—Muslim and non-Muslim alike—let’s fight to level the field, let’s challenge patriarchy and oppression. And to proponents of hijab, despite having the right to it, you must be open to criticism. Using religion as a trump card is just not enough – employ your faculty of reason and engage in a real debate.
And why not here, now? Use the comment thread and I’ll respond to the points you raise.
Comments
Please. I request you. Dress options have to be proposed that address the safety concerns and cover the hair. Suggest the Iranians to wear that! I want to see Iranian women play football! but I don’t want my religion to be dragged in to it!
This is an endless argument and I am thankful I am not part of a religion that expects me or my daughters to wear a scarf on my head. To those who wear it – tought luck considering 72 virgin men are not waiting for you in paradise.
i really think u need to work on some facts man…. it’s not like that, do you think we follow islam cuz we are gonna get 72 virgins in heaven:-D u gotta be kidding me…. dear fellow it’s not that u r sadly mistaken fellow….. and by the way it’s not some kind of a curse to cover ur head or to be modest, it’s for a lady’s respect and man u really need to visit a proper muslim society and see for ur self how ladies are respected unlike the west where unfortunately ladies are used up and thrown like tissue paper…. do some research man, do it for urself and do it urself, see for urself….. may GOD ALMIGHTY guide us all and do ask GOD for guidance, he guides those who seek for it… thanks, i hope u didnt mind all of this
Not sure if 72 virgin guys is actually a good deal for women. Most women wouldn’t want to teach 72 inexperienced guys what to do.
That’s discrimination and sexism both. The funny thing is FIFA has yet to tell how come head scrves are danger to other players. And speakin of religion how come some fo the other country playres can wear cross chains which are sometimes dangling of their necks.. I think head scarves make players areodynamics. If western country can use head gears for aero dynamic qualities why cant Iranians. I think that is the new sporting accessory even male soccer payer would want to have.
Does anyone else find it funny that their outfits look like sperm costumes? :)
Next FIFA would require women to wear no bras and hotpants to maintain FIFA officials sex health intact.
lets let the women decide for themselves whether they want to cover up head to toe, or wear nothing at all. its their bodies and their minds. if we let this be an individual decision and have everyone accept it, i think the world might just become a better place. its really not that big a deal you see, its just a piece of cloth.
Its a pity how a scarf ruling by FIFA which concerns the Iranian football team elicits reactions from a Pakistani blogger, with Slutwalks referenced to boot. A woman was stripped naked and paraded around town in Haripur, Pakistan, which happens to be much closer, but failed to rouse the country.
Please, some perspective.
However, coming back to your blog, a similar ruling was awarded for weight lifting, not allowing loose-fitting clothes or full-sleeved apparel. These rulings address safety concerns, relating to elbow or knee pads, and headgear which might result in unfair advantage to the user. The ban should not be seen as an attack on Islam or any other religion.
Please, some perspective.
However, coming back to your blog, a similar ruling was awarded for weight lifting, not allowing loose-fitting clothes or full-sleeved apparel. These rulings address safety concerns, relating to elbow or knee pads, and headgear which might result in unfair advantage to the user. The ban should not be seen as an attack on Islam or any other religion.
How about we let the WOMEN decide what they want to wear? Its apparently not ok for FIFA to ban them but its ok for the Iranian regime to Force women to wear a hijab? Hypocrisy much?
Pehanna hijab aur Khilna football. Talk about confused oppressed mental slaves who can’t handle modernity. Only sport that should be played while wearing a hijab is camel jumping.
Islam asserts modesty. A woman knows very well how to carry herself modestly, it’s just an intrinsic sense that we have – and ignore! This seems to be heading in the same direction western women took their demands, “If a man can bare himself, why can’t I?” “Why can’t he mind his business while I walk around half/full naked!” Maybe, it’s a woman’s failure to understand that men and women are perpetually different in every single way! The way they react to sexual signals is completely different. Misinterpreting religion to assert control over women in the most restricting ways is, at the same time, also wrong. The whole argument above shows two extremes approaches devoid of rationality.
Why islamic republic even send there women to socaled olympic they dont know there is lot of men will watch them and thats is haram in islam.
I don’t agree where you disagreed with the fact that a woman dresses like slut to be raped and that men should exert control where butt pinching is concerned and I have a logical explanation for it…A man who harasses women just because of their way of dressing is unlikely to be a sane person..how can you expect a psychotic or otherwise mentally imbalanced man to exert restraint ??..same goes for rapists..Isnt it better to take precautions for yourself and not dress provocatively in the first place.
This policy was no doubt drafted in line of growing Islamophobia in the Muslim world, but on another note, would it call Iranian football federation to show some flexibility in their forced mandatory adoption of religiously inspired gear for female atheletes. Games inside Iran is one thing, but when their female atheletes are competing on an international stage, outside of Iran, they should follow non Iranian rules, and should respect them. Next their going to say, no female atheletes can compete in swimming at the olympics till they wear a Burqini, as they say When in Rome, do as The Romans.
one more question for the Hijab brigade, what if some pious muslim woman wants to play football wearing burqa? should it be allowed or not?
Your argument would make sense if rape had anything to do with sex; it doesn’t. It’s about power and violence. And if what you’re saying was entirely true then no hijab wearing or modestly dressed women would ever get raped, and we all know that happens far too much. I’m all for modesty for both men and women and I disagree with this ban on the headscarf as any grown woman is perfectly capable of deciding what’s best for herself, but I hate when people attempt to label modesty as a means to avoid rape.
“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone…”
A very well written article. I like the way you bring up both (controversial) sides of this issue in a balanced and thought provoking way… As the comments above reflect, the world (as well as the muslim world) has a long way to go ….
(P.S. Awesome mental image: “You can disappear and lock yourself up in your prehistoric patriarchal cave of nostalgia and cry over the tragic loss of the glory days when we all worshipped the phallus.”
(P.S. Awesome mental image: “You can disappear and lock yourself up in your prehistoric patriarchal cave of nostalgia and cry over the tragic loss of the glory days when we all worshipped the phallus.”
This is factually wrong article .. the author is talking about freedom of choice but not mentioning the fact that hijab is being enforced on these women by their cruel and barbaric govt. there might be many girls in this team who don’t want to wear hijab but they have to as its been enforced on them .these girls have no choice but to wear hijab…. and personally i blv that sports should remain secular and depiction of any kinda religious or political symbols should be banned.
Despite the fact that the boss here is FIFA and so its rules must be respected this rule can certainly be challenged by all women players wanting to wear scarves For now, it is best if Iranian players wear scarves in their own country and abroad they do not wear scarves while hoping that their point of view is convincing enough to outclass FIFA’s rule and they finally get to wear scarves. The question which arise in my mind is how should this rule be outclassed?
The answer lies hidden in 2 important questions:1. How is a PIECE OF CLOTH COVERING ONE”S HEAD DANGEROUS TO HERSELF?
2.How is it dangerous for somebody else?
Make FIFA answer these 2 questions and do challenge their answers using common sense.
Hope you agree with my questions.
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