The International Judo Federation (IJF) on Thursday (July 26th) ruled that Saudi judo fighter Wojdan Shaherkani will be banned from wearing the hijab during competition, AFP reported.
Shaherkani, one of the two Saudi women who are the first female competitors sent from the kingdom to the Olympics, was ordered by the federation to fight with her head uncovered for safety reasons.
"The Saudi Arabian athlete will take part in judo and she will fight according to the principle and spirit of judo, so without a hijab," said IJF president Marius Vizer.
Saudi Arabia had agreed to send a women's team to London on condition their two female athletes respect a strict dress code.
Prince Nawaf bin Faisal, president of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, had said that the duo will be allowed to compete so long as they wear "suitable clothing that complies with sharia".
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READER COMMENTS
aminalkasrwy
2012-7-29
All Muslims have to be aware that the others don't like them because they are good committed people. Then, you who are responsible for sports in our second country must fear God, elevate the Muslims who like sports and shared in cycles. Help them to be successful and let the westerners feel jealous of them and make them realize that there is nothing that can stop the Muslims.
مروة
2012-7-28
The Olympics are essentially held to discard sectarianism. They do not differentiate according to minority or religion…The one who prohibited the girl from wearing the Hijab has no right to do that…He expresses his personal hatred to the Hijab only.
ابو علي
2012-7-28
It is a double blessing. First, God shows the racism of disbelievers against Islam and the hijab (head covering) which is considered one of the rites of Islam. Second, God destined for this Muslim sister not to take part because taking part would not be void of religious violations.