Taekwondo championship to allow hijab

[Epistemologist]

http://today.reuters.com/news/articl...0_US-HIJAB.xml

Quote by: Article OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Muslim hijab, banned at a taekwondo tournament in Quebec last month, will be allowed at the 2007 World Championship in Quebec City later this month, the International Taekwon-Do Federation announced on Friday. The decision by a Quebec federation last month to bar a team of Muslim girls from taking part with their hijabs at the regional tournament had prompted protests of discrimination, but Quebec federation officials said it was a matter of safety. That group was affiliated with the World Taekwondo Federation, a rival group to the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), which said on Friday it would temporarily allow the head scarves at its May 31-June 3 championship.

So girls who do hijab are a security threat? Thoughts?

[Setnakt]

There are a lot of regulations at tournaments and other competitions or even within dojos about what you can wear while practicing and certainly while competing. "Safety" may mean safety for the girls, if a hand gets caught in the material of the scarf. I know the UFC doesn't allow shirts, gis or pants and there is discussion about boxing trunks being too loose for grappling situations, so it doesn't surprise me that wearing what could be loose fabric over your head would raise some concerns about safety.

[Praxius]

Yeah that was a heated argument over nothing imo....

If you can't wear a Kilt during the tournament, then you can't wear a Hijab.... get over it.... yeah it's a part of their herritage and all that, and I respect it..... but It's Tae-Kwon Do... it's an Asian art.... not "White Man's" or any other oppression.... it's their culture first, anybody else's second.

And yes.... it is a safety issue.... you throw someone the wrong way, or hook them with a grapple the wrong way, not only is there a chocking hazzard, it's also a additional clothing that can be used against the person.

I'm sorry, but if the Muslim culture want's people to accept their ways, they gotta meet halfway..... why the hell should all of us of different cultural backgrounds bend arse over hilt to please one group?

Sorry, but this is just one more of those stupid ploys to show how intollerant us westerners are..... grow up, suck it up and if you don't want your hair showing..... wear a swimming cap.

[Epistemologist]

Discuss why they'd be compelled to allow it then, if it's a threat to safety. Is it because of increasing pressure to make it look like there's no hypocrisy and discrimination within their society?

[Praxius]

Quote by: Epistemologist Discuss why they'd be compelled to allow it then, if it's a threat to safety. Is it because of increasing pressure to make it look like there's no hypocrisy and discrimination within their society?

The only argument I seen about wanting the Hijab is because it's a part of their culture and the women who choose to wear a Hijab, wear them for life..... which also kinda means they are not permitted to take them off in public or during any sport, etc..... so it's a catch 22...... do you take it off and offend the religion you sworn to uphold for the rest of your life, or do you keep your Hijab and loose out on a sport you enjoy?

It's about regulations, and they're trying to pull the racist card..... plain and simple.

For example.... When I am at work, we have a strict code of uniform as to what we can wear at the office.... usually a business casual kind of thing...... we are not allowed to wear shorts, and shirts with logos, etc..... the typical stuff...... but I'm not allowed to wear a Kilt..... it's a part of my culture and herritage, so one would think I should be able to wear my kilt with no underwear at my desk..... but I can't so I suck it up.

Why the hell should they get special treatment?

[Epistemologist]

Quote by: Praxius Why the hell should they get special treatment?

Once they start, I guess they have no choice but to continue with the hijab. While the kilt is part of your cultural heritage, you still have a likely choice of going with pants. For these girls, it's integral to their culture, and they have a religious obligation to continue once they start.

But probably, hijab is against the essence of this sport. So in making the decision to start hijab, I suppose they should have considered that they wouldn't be able to play this sport anymore, along with all the other considerations that I'm sure they made.

Perhaps charges of racism are more influential than guns and threats?

[Praxius]

We'll soon find out.

[Nigh Eve]

I agree with the outcome. I don't mind the lenience.

I remember they wouldn't let us play floor hockey in gym class once I hit high school. It became an issue of safety. I was angry.

I'd rather not have someone dictate to me what I can and can not do when the risk is my own and no one elses.

Tae-kwon-do? I don't remember many safety issues to be concerned about. You're kind of...throwing limbs around in the first place. Might as well force people not to participate in Tae-kwon-do.

Racist card? Maybe they just have an idea of what freedom really is.

[Nigh Eve]

I guess I forgot what kind of a world we were living in. They don't really care.

Quote by: Nigh Eve became an issue of safety.

More like an issue of liability.

Anyways, my opinion still stands. I accept responsibility of myself and my actions.

[Gargoyle]

Hiyaaaaah!!!! woooooo!!!!! wataaa!!!! man let them girls do their ass kicking,,hiyahhhh!!!!! woooo!!!