http://www.arabnews.com/?page=13§ion=0&article=124528&d=14&m=7&y=2009
Tuesday 14 July 2009 (21 Rajab 1430)
Resistance to women's sports
Abdulrahman Al-Shallash | Arab News
SOME people in our society are against women participating in sports even
inside their own homes. This is so ingrained in their ways that they do not
welcome any women's activities, sports or otherwise, as they believe that "this
will herald the beginning of evil, corruption and promiscuity." They do not
support their stance with any evidence from the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and will
not dare say that the religion has prevented women from practicing sports.
Their arguments against women's sports are false and illogical. The
beginning of the war against women's sports lies in a signboard placed by an
anonymous person (or persons) in a place in Riyadh that women frequented for
walking. This sign prompted other like-minded individuals to join in. These
people achieved what they aspired when physical education failed to get
approval in girls' schools despite the need for our daughters to build their
weak bodies.
As a result of the ferocious resistance against women's sports, the
number of sports centers for women in Riyadh was greatly reduced. Women had no
alternative but to go for walks in the few pedestrian-friendly locations there.
The large number of women you see walking is indicative of Saudi women's
desire to participate in sports and their understanding of its importance. They
insist on walking, individually or in groups, despite difficulties of harsh
weather and harassment.
Paradoxically, opponents of women's sport are not worried by women going
out for walks. They are against schoolgirls practicing sports under the
supervision of their women teachers, and are also against the establishment of
special, women-only sports centers run under the watch of the government.
There is a need to set up more sports centers for women. There is a dire
need to give further attention to this. This is the wish of the majority of
Saudi women. Women who do not want to practice sport will not be obliged to do
so by force. They cannot be forced to leave their homes. However, the majority
of women want to practice sport within the boundaries of our religion. This is
a God-given right.
