Saturday - June 11, 2011

Another Brick In The Wall

Kulsoom Abdullah is a 35-year-old with a doctorate in electrical and computer engineering. But it’s her passion outside of work that has put her at the center of a debate—one that could affect athletic competitions worldwide, even the Olympics.

Later this month, the International Weightlifting Federation will take up the question of whether Abdullah may take part in officially sanctioned tournaments while keeping her entire body covered, aside from her hands and face, in keeping with her Muslim faith.

“It’s what I believe in. It’s what I’ve chosen to do,” Abdullah tells CNN of her decision to wear modest garb. “I’ve always dressed this way publicly.”

The Atlanta resident wants to take part in tournaments in the United States, including one coming up in July. But USA Weightlifting informed her that those events are governed by IWF rules. And those rules preclude her dressing in keeping with her beliefs.

Abdullah generally wears loose, long pants past the ankles, a long-sleeve, fitted shirt with a loose T-shirt over it, and a hijab, or head scarf, covering her hair.

The outfits—officially called “costumes”—worn at competitions must be collarless and must not cover the elbows or knees, according to the IWF’s technical and competition rules.

The IWF constitution also states that no distinction is made among individuals based on religion.

Mark Jones, a spokesman for the U.S. Olympic Committee—which oversees USA Weightlifting and many other sports—explained part of the challenge is that judges need to see that a competitor’s elbows and knees are locked during a lift.

So the IWF will hold a meeting, and everyone will strive to be “reasonable” and the end result will be that Special Allowances will be granted to Special People. Who will then use their more-than-equal “rights” to game the system. And no other weightlifter who is not a muslime will be allowed to dress this way. Another bit of inequality, another small step towards dhimmitude.

If part of the rules require that certain parts of the body be exposed to show that certain moves are done properly, that’s how it is. Lady, if you want to compete in your baggy outfit, go to Saudi Arabia and do it. Oh wait, lifting weights there is probably a religiously decreed Males Only activity, and she’d be flogged or worse for doing it.

I’m tired of the entire world having to bend to this “faith”. You want to change the rules missy, how about you get your religion to bend a little instead?

Posted by Drew458     on 06/11/2011 at 07:39 AM   
Filed Under: • RoPMA • Sports •  
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