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Saudi Crackdown Sends Female Gym Rats to Sidelines

Religious leaders say sports are unfeminine

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted May 14, 2009 3:51 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Though obesity and diabetes are on the rise in Saudi Arabia, officials there are cracking down on women-only sports clubs because they lack licenses—which no government body will actually issue. Leaders say their opposition is based on Islam, but, Caryle Murphy writes for GlobalPost, it stems as much from views about women long extinct in other societies. “Depriving women of this is yet another way of marginalizing them,” says one activist.

Scholars cite Victorian notions that sports may lead women to lose their characteristic shyness, become masculine, or even lust for one another. It’s a “slippery slope,” says one, that follows “in the footsteps of Western countries.” A sheikh adds, “Women need to have their dignity protected.” Still, women continue to organize privately, or, in relatively liberal Jiddah, somewhat openly.

Members and fans of the all-women Jeddah United basketball team gather in front of a basketball court at the First Women's Welfare Society in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia.
Members and fans of the all-women Jeddah United basketball team gather in front of a basketball court at the First Women's Welfare Society in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia.   (AP Photo/Donna Abu-Nasr)
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Saudi women have to play sports hidden away from view since they are banned from playing in public.   (lookhearseee)

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Sports such as football and basketball require a lot of movement which may cause young women to lose their virginity. - Sheikh Abdullah Al Manee, a member of the official Council of Senior Ulema

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
skylinesandsunsets
May 15, 2009 9:13 AM CDT
With the spread of the internet and other forms of mass communication, Islam cannot keep the middle east in the dark ages forever. The "barbarians" are at the gates and soon afterwards Islam will be destroyed. It may not happen within Generation X's lifetime, but it's destined to happen.
kokuaguy
May 15, 2009 7:34 AM CDT
Sorry to say it folks -- maybe I'm even sorry to believe it -- but until these women start marching like our suffragists did and going to prison did, I can't feel too sorry for them. Unless they want to flee to the west as refugees and I'd be supportive of that.
OWLWOMANXXXX
May 15, 2009 2:27 AM CDT
Can't be very many men over there if they are so afraid of their women

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obesity • sports • Islam • Saudi Arabia • diabetes • women's rights • athletics • fitness • Jay-ZTV

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