Olympic Gold

The Bahraini Olympic team are making us all proud. Particularly Sameera Bitar (swimmer) and Ruqaya Al-Ghasra (runner) where they not only arrived at the games through their competition rather than being given a “good-will” entry.

What makes me even more happy is seeing that these yound ladies and indeed their families supporting them all the way to compete, going against the local view (by the bearded and turbanned folk) tradition of women should cover-up and shut-up.

The committee was going to bring a young woman to compete in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but a week before she was to leave, said an Olympic official from Bahrain, religious leaders visited her parents and warned them against their daughter’s appearing in front of so many people in a swimsuit. The young woman stayed home.
New York Times

More power to you girls, and your families. You have done us proud.

Comments

  1. esraa

    Olympic Gold

    First of all, I love your blogspot and 2nd of all mabruk to the Bahraini Olympic women!

    I teach art history and women’s studies in a design school for women here in Qatar. For the past 4 years I have been having my students research atheletic events in ancient Greece to compare the roles and opportunities of women then with Muslim women today.

    For the first 2 years all I heard was “Competitive sports for women are against our religion and culture.” “Our families would never let us participate in sports…”

    Then, when Qatar announced that they would host the 2006 Asian Games and that women will be participating, the tone changed. I started getting essays dealing with how the Prophet encouraged healthy bodies and aspiring to do your best. Some began looking into the fashion industry’s attempt to address issues of modesty for Muslim women. And others began to research the athletic involvement and record of Egyptian, Iranian, Tunisian and Moroccan women.

    Now when I give out the assignment to my students this year, we will see if these Muslim female athletic pioneers have affected the dreams my students aspire to or the way they approach them.

    Insha’Allah, they will open their minds and hearts to dream bigger dreams 🙂

    Salaam,
    PM

  2. anonymous

    Olympic Gold

    Hey, Mahmood!

    Glad to see you posting again…can I assume the move into the new house is (at least almost) done?

    Yes, you’re absolutely right…good for the families of your lovely swimmers that they’re supporting them in their right to compete and wear whatever the heck they want! Of course, looking at all the pictures you’ve posted of your Formula One hotties, I’m guessing you would probably feel that way naturally, wouldn’t you? (Heh, heh!) I’m curious–since NBC doesn’t provide much Olympic coverage of athletes outside of the USA, how are your Bahraini Olympians doing? Oh, and any thoughts on the Iraqi national soccer team? Just curious…

    –Michael in Los Angeles

  3. anonymous

    Olympic Gold

    What’s particularly good is that the Bahrain Olympic Committee has come out saying specifically that it wants to promote female athletes. They’re not being apologetic about it or cowed like what happened in 2000.

  4. mahmood

    Re: Olympic Gold

    To tell you the truth Michael, the satellite only got connected to our house a couple of days ago, and with the move I physically haven’t had the time to watch any TV, save for the BBC news last night, so I’m missing on the Olympics this time, but I’m following the events of the Bahraini team through the papers…

  5. [deleted]0.95776700 1099323586.392

    Re(1): Olympic Gold

    Hmmm. That’s interesting. A lot of people here don’t like satellite TV because they lose the signal during thunderstorms. I guess you wouldn’t have that problem in Bahrain, huh?

    Steve

  6. anonymous

    Olympic Gold

    I’ll have to watch for your athletes! The journey of a thousand miles (cultural change) begins with a single step.

    Just found your blog again and enjoy it very much.

  7. anonymous

    Olympic Gold

    This is certainly heartening news. I only hope that it results in a new enlightened attitude to sport as an excellent means of maintaining good health. In particular, all schoolchildren should be taught to swim as a matter of life-safety. And two marvellous sports for the disabled are swimming and horse-riding.
    Meggie

  8. anonymous

    Olympic Gold

    Mahmood – it is because of reading YOUR blog that I felt a connection to your team at the Olympics!!! You go girls! We are rooting for you.

  9. anonymous

    Olympic Gold

    Our girls rule!!!

    Incidentally, I dont know whether you folks out there know that Bahrain made 4th place in Asian soccer championships … 4th place!! Thats pretty damn good and very impressive ..

    Go Bahrain!

    JJ

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