03-05-2007, 04:40 PM
Mr. Doe wrote:
> What is she doing playing soccer anyway?
My reaction, John, is similar to your reaction.
My understanding of Islamic law is that it is a heinous, unforgivable sin for any female to engage in any sort of physical activity where men or boys might watch. Therefore, under Islamic law, this girl should not be playing soccer in the first place.
It's encouraging that some Muslims who live in Canada and other Western countries are beginning to reject some of the misogynistic beliefs that are so common in Islamic countries.
Interestingly, even Arab countries are starting to realize that the ban on women exercising is causing severe health problems among Muslim women. For example, check out the following article from the Feb 17, 2007 issue of "Arab News":
Editorial: Dangerous Lifestyle
which reads, in part:
Quote:Research published last month by the Ministry of Health and the Riyadh-based King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research indicates 45 percent of Saudi women and 23.5 percent of Saudi men are above their ideal body mass index and therefore overweight or grossly obese. The figure for the men is appalling enough; for women, it is staggering...
Saudi policy banning physical education in girls’ high schools is endangering the lives of women as they grow up under the impression that physical fitness is only important to men. The fact women are disproportionably affected by obesity in Saudi Arabia only makes this policy more ludicrous.