Re: " 'Beautiful game' not open to all" " " (Opinion, June 28).
I see no reason why FIFA or any other sports association should object to the wearing of the hijab by its Muslim athletes and referees. As Ihsaan Gardee points out, "the head scarves worn by players have been shown to be perfectly safe, and death or injury by hijab on the soccer field has not been endemic." Nor do I feel that the wearing of the hijab puts players at either an advantage or disadvantage over their opponents. Perhaps it is time for FIFA to revisit and revise its rules. Young women and girls of all religions and ethnicities should be encouraged to participate in sports on both the amateur and professional levels. As so rightly stated by Nelson Mandela, "Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does."
FIFA would be wise to consider the words of this very wise man.
Cynthia Jarjour St. Lambert
Source: http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Hijabs+beautiful+game/5027772/story.html#ixzz1QxkVY9dH
