Women's Right to Compete in Question:
July 30, 2012
A Saudi Arabian Judo athlete, one of two females representing the country this Olympics is making a large stir with people in her home country and the rest of the world who perceive a modest step forward for a nation far behind in equality issues. In Saudi Arabia, the strictest of Islamic tradition still holds sway and women are repressed in many rights including public appearance, troubling domestic abuse laws, ban from driving and other blatant unjust segregations. So the upcoming appearance of Abdurahim Shahrkhanai in judo and Sarah Attar, the Pepperdine University 800 meter track competitor, are seemingly caught in a dilemma. The Sharia law requirement of wearing the hajib to cover facial and hair exposure is a fixture of their society and it's implementation is being pursued by officials and family members back home. In the judo event, Shahrkhani's family made a statement to the local newspaper, that she be permitted to wear the head scarve. The request was denied by Olympic officials for "safety reasons" and the "integrity of the sport." So it's to be resolved what will transpire before Friday's event, with talks of simply not televising coverage as a possible solution.
For Attar's track events starting August 8, media attention is likely to be very demur in keeping with the athlete's tendencies to not grant interviews and the Olympic officials accepted the request that photos be removed from her online bio revealing exposed arms, legs and hair. See her ceremonial 800M track heat here. During the opening ceremonies, both represented their country among their male counterparts yet they walking several paces behind. While that seems a blatant affront to the spirit of the games, Chris Wilcke an expert on Saudi issues for Human Rights Watch stated, "If they were walking together and holding hands, that would not have been cool for the domestic audience."
So to be a representative of one's nation amidst such circumstances is puzzling, yet a good message may hopefully be able to prevail to suggest the effort and strength of these athletes as an example to those back home.