Muslim Women and Sports
Mohammed Almatrafi
Instructor: Heidi Golesorkhi ENG 2030 11/27/2012
Muslim Women and Sports In the United States, women began their battle for equality in 1848. Along the way they gained the freedom to vote, drive, and participate in virtually anything they chose. Often it is forgotten that gender discrimination is still openly and actively happening around the world. In places such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Brunei women are anything but equal. Saudi women are forbidden from acting independently and even from participating in physical activities. Female presence in sports is banned, and considered culturally unacceptable. The Saudi government believes there is no way to allow women to participate without violating what they believe in. Saudi women are prevented from participating in sports because of the culture and the complicated society. In light of the 2012 London Olympics, there has been an excessive amount of attention drawn to the gender inequality that is currently being practiced. More specifically the fact that Muslim women are forbidden to participate in sports or any type of physical activity. Saudi Arabia has very strong beliefs regarding the placement of women, they are treated as minors. Women are not allowed to choose for themselves, they are to do as their male guardian instructs. In addition, they are forbidden from traveling, working or studying without their male guardian’s permission. Saudi has been very open with their beliefs and practices regarding their women. The treatment of women in Islamic culture is gaining excessive negative attention. Human rights groups have interjected on their behalf, insisting it is time for a change.
According to Pearlman, a global post producer for special reports, “Islam is the governing religion in Saudi Arabia, and according to some interpretations of Sharia law, which the Kingdom abides by, women are not allowed to drive, be in the presence of male strangers, be admitted to
Instructor: Heidi Golesorkhi ENG 2030 11/27/2012
Muslim Women and Sports In the United States, women began their battle for equality in 1848. Along the way they gained the freedom to vote, drive, and participate in virtually anything they chose. Often it is forgotten that gender discrimination is still openly and actively happening around the world. In places such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Brunei women are anything but equal. Saudi women are forbidden from acting independently and even from participating in physical activities. Female presence in sports is banned, and considered culturally unacceptable. The Saudi government believes there is no way to allow women to participate without violating what they believe in. Saudi women are prevented from participating in sports because of the culture and the complicated society. In light of the 2012 London Olympics, there has been an excessive amount of attention drawn to the gender inequality that is currently being practiced. More specifically the fact that Muslim women are forbidden to participate in sports or any type of physical activity. Saudi Arabia has very strong beliefs regarding the placement of women, they are treated as minors. Women are not allowed to choose for themselves, they are to do as their male guardian instructs. In addition, they are forbidden from traveling, working or studying without their male guardian’s permission. Saudi has been very open with their beliefs and practices regarding their women. The treatment of women in Islamic culture is gaining excessive negative attention. Human rights groups have interjected on their behalf, insisting it is time for a change.
According to Pearlman, a global post producer for special reports, “Islam is the governing religion in Saudi Arabia, and according to some interpretations of Sharia law, which the Kingdom abides by, women are not allowed to drive, be in the presence of male strangers, be admitted to
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