In London and Tehran: To hijab or not to hijab, that is the question!
Whether you are looking to see women’s swimming or beach volleyball in the Olympics, the issue of dressing and undressing keeps coming in and out of focus. Not to be undone, the season is in full swing to say NO to mandatory hijab in Iran. Read on to catch the latest news…
With temperatures dropping, Olympic beach volleyball fans were in fear that women would need to cover up their curves to the dismay of ticket holders. With stands reaching full capacity, this gig is one of the most popular events – being sported right on the Queen’s doorstep! The players seem unaffected by the buzz, with one Olympian, Tamsin Hinchley, remarking to the Associated Press, “The regulations are that it’s tight fitting, so if that’s what you’re there for, whatever.”
According to Huffington Post, Under new rules adopted by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), beach volleyball players are free to wear shorts and sleeved tops instead of bikinis and sport bras, to be more sensitive and inclusive of countries that observe certain cultural and religious morals.
Now on the other end of the spectrum, women athletes from Saudi Arabia and Iran are allowed to take part in the Olympics in hijab, not much unlike the recently approved, tight-fitting, Velcro-saddled hijab donned by Iranian women during international soccer matches. Apparently the only part of the body allowed to be tight-fitting is the head. It was indeed due to efforts by a Jordanian Prince that Iranian women can take the field at all. In 2011, Iranian women were left crying on the sidelines after forfeiting a qualifying Olympic match because they were not allowed to play wearing headscarves. After that, Prince Ali of Jordan, Vice President of FIFA, stepped in and led a year-long campaign to overturn the ban and allow hijab-wearing women play the game. Only two countries, Iran and Saudi Arabia require women to wear hijab.
As a woman I wonder why we can't all enjoy the sports and competitions without focusing on the fashion and the body parts. Broadly speaking, why can't we interact with, and respect women without focusing too much on their garb? One movement with its roots in Iran seems to have become viral in cyberspace. As a woman, I see merit in the "Let’s say NO to mandatory hijab" campaign launched via Facebook, with over 19000 signing on to support so far. Let's hope and pray that moderation can prevail along modernity. As a mother of a “tween” son, I am very sensitive about his views on girls and women. I can’t support him watching beach volleyball and cringe when I see the veil. Maybe we can meet in the "weast?" Is there such a place?
Blog sent by the Persian Irish
