THE KEY TO FIGHTING GENDERED ISLAMOPHOBIA

By Shireen Ahmed
"Hands Up... SCREAM," he shouted. "HANDS UP! Faster! Faster!"

Konga blew his whistle and I jumped into fight stance, my hands protecting my face and head, trying to emulate his agility. I was panting and tried to keep up with the pace and the demands of the instructor. I faced Jihad, my 13-year-old daughter. Beads of sweat covered her forehead and her eyes were dark and intense.

A few weeks ago, I committed to attending this self-defence session offered by Konga Fitness at Battle Arts Academy in Mississauga, Ontario, located just west of Toronto. It is one of the 20 self-defence workshops and sessions being offered for women in the last two months. After an alarming number of attacks on identifiable Muslims occurred in the Greater Toronto Area following the tragedies in Paris and San Bernardino, a few community members and organizations mobilized to offer workshops and self-defence classes.

READ MORE: Stadiums Are Still Closed to Women in Iran

Islamophobia has reared its ugly head in Canada and a lot of women in the Muslim community were feeling particularly vulnerable, angry, frustrated and, yes, scared—I certainly was.

Our instructor, Khaled Konga, yelled directions for our body positioning and sequences. We continued for another three minutes. When he was satisfied with our movements and our responses to his commands, we were permitted to take a water break.

"Confidence. It is about confidence" Konga reiterated as we gulped, "You must be confident. You must be aware. You must use your voice!" His Egyptian accent dotted his directions. "You are strong. I am not going to teach you superman kicks and fancy punches. I am teaching you the basics so you can be safe. This is reality and function."

Above all, he reminded us, screaming is imperative. I look over and see my child nodding in agreement. I was grateful that she was absorbing all of this. Some of the other participants were smiling and chatting intermittently but we both stayed in battle mode. This was important. We both knew it. 

This session had about 30 attendees. All but two were women of colour. The majority of the women in the group were wearing the hijab. When I first brought up personal safety in the wake of an increase of attacks on Muslims, Jihad confessed she was more concerned for me since I cover and she does not. I realized that the best thing was for both of us to attend together.

I am an identifiable Muslim woman. I wear a hijab. I have worn it for almost 20 years—by choice. That my decision to wear a headscarf could be a trigger for ignorant people to attack me is unsettling, to say the least. My daughter does not choose to cover. But she identifies as a Muslim and her name is unmistakably and unapologetically Arabic. I trust her but I feel burdened by an anxiety that she could be targeted because of her beliefs, her skin colour and even her name. Most of the victims of recent attacks have been young women. And some close to my home. As a result, some have decided to not go out at night as often. I don't blame them. But I opted for physical preparedness in case my daughter or I were ever in that situation.

My friend Noor, who happens to be a black belt in karate and also a sexual assault prevention instructor, shared the information about Konga's free sessions, and I immediately registered for two spots. Jihad initially groaned and insisted that the wrestling sessions in our living room with her dad and three brothers were sufficient. But I wouldn't have any of it, fearing that Islamophobes and misogynists could unleash their ignorant rage on her. She would come to this workshop; if only for giving me and her father some peace of mind.

I might have reconsidered when I saw how eager she would be to partner with me and attack me on Konga's cues. She was fierce and determined. "At least this attitude you giveme can empower you in something," I muttered to her. She rolled her eyes but we continued the drill.

In between bouts of emphasizing the importance of spatial awareness and quick footwork, Konga reminded us that our main purpose was, in fact, not to maim aggressors but to get to safety. Our sharp responses of an elbow or a kick might only irritate or confuse a person attacking us. But it would give us that opportunity to get the hell out of there and get help.

Jihad remained rapt with attention. She is used to physical demands of an athlete but this training is about awareness and smart decisions under pressure. We are told that ultimately we should practice these maneuvers until they become second nature. Constant awareness of the spaces we are in is so important for all women—Muslim, or not, and for all ages.

Jihad was the youngest one in the session but victims of such attacks can be quite young. I think about this a lot. In the United States, one such victim was a girl in sixth grade and beaten by three schoolboys who shouted "ISIS" at her as they punched her.

I want my daughter to be able to defend herself, and I will not always be there. Those thoughts weigh heavily on me. Young Muslims, who grew up on timbits and homogenized milk in Canada—the only home they have ever known—worry about their safety. Those young female Muslims cheer for the same hockey teams, volunteer at community hospitals and inhale poutine like any other teenager from Canada. But they worry about being targets of racist violence, which many in this country will never experience.

"Mama, focus!" she snapped and then promptly pushed against my arms. I shook myself to attention and straightened my posture. The I re-engaged with her. She needs to see me learning and fighting. The information we received was mentally exhausting and physically demanding. My arms hurt and my calves are sore but I feel I need to continue.

In every class, workshop or seminar I have ever attended, the instructors all underline how confidence is essential. A two-hour session is not enough to master all martial arts moves, but consistent training can certainly help. In one of our many conversations, Noor told me that, "Participants having a false sense of security is always a concern, but you want to ensure women understand martial arts is about having positive headspace." She adds that a sense of sisterhood is also strengthened by these initiatives. This is also an important lesson for my daughter to learn. I wish that personal and community development didn't have to be in the context of protection from violence, but it is her reality right now.

Gendered Islamophobia is rooted in racism and misogyny. It is a constant in the lives of women. Misogyny has lurked in the true north strong and free for a long time. It is not something new to Canada. Our government just released an inquiry about over 1,200missing and murdered Indigenous women.

With powerful Western figures like Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper having spewed hateful vitriol, the increase in anti-Muslim sentiment is notable. But we go forward. We practice that jab, that block, that kick to an attacker's groin, again and again.

Konga wraps up the session lightheartedly and says: "This is just a small key. A key you can use to open the door and get out of danger."

We grabbed a coffee with Noor after the workshop to decompress and discuss the afternoon. I didn't want Jihad to feel burdened with a reality that seems grim. But she ordered two pieces of cheesecake and was her normal self.

Noor hasn't been attacked before, and I certainly hope both Jihad and I are also fortunate enough to never have to defend ourselves from a physical attack. Safety is not a privilege, it is a right. But sometimes you have to fight for it—you have to burst through the door to a safe space. And now at least Jihad has a key.

All photos courtesy Konga Fitness

Source: https://sports.vice.com/ca/article/the-key-to-fighting-gendered-islamophobia 

Our Prayers are with the Victims of Boston Marathon

By FT reporters

At least two people were killed and more than 20 were injured, some seriously, as two explosions rocked the Boston Marathon finishing line on Monday, as hundreds of thousands of people thronged the city’s streets for the race.

Onlookers posted pictures on Twitter showing blood on sidewalks beside the finishing line on Boylston Street in the city centre, with people lying on the ground. According to local media, emergency personnel carried out a controlled detonation of a suspicious package afterwards.

Shortly after the explosion, workers speaking over the Boston city emergency radio system expressed fears about suspect packages near the scene and an unaccompanied vehicle. They asked for all police officers not needed on Boylston Street to go into side streets in case of further explosions.

“We need the ambulances off Boylston,” the person said. “Officers, go down side streets, away from harm’s way. There are several suspect packages still on Boylston.”

The route of the marathon runs through Boston area universities, and for large sections of the race students were standing four-deep to watch the runners. Officials were deciding whether to lock down the universities and were encouraging students to clear the streets.

Emergency personnel ushered spectators and runners into stores and restaurants lining the route. They were later guided out through back alleys. One worker who was heard on Boston’s emergency channels said his staff were sweeping the area for suspicious packages.

Boston had been enjoying a state holiday with schools and government offices closed.

President Barack Obama was being kept aware of the situation, White House officials said, as security was tightened in other US cities. The area in front of the White House was also cleared, according to a report on CNN.

Paul J Browne, Deputy Commission​er at New York City Police Department, said: “We’re stepping up security at hotels and other prominent locations in the city through deployment of the NYPD’s critical response vehicles until more about the explosion is learnt.”

Adriana Piekarewicz, a runner from Tallahassee, Florida, completed the race and was at the nearby Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel. She described hearing two explosions just before 3pm eastern time and shortly afterwards seeing people with severe injuries at the finish line.

She said within 15 minutes the Fairmont Copley hotel was locked down and people were not permitted to leave it.

One woman visiting Boston from London with her husband, who was competing, was just about to cross the finish line when windows blew out from the explosion.

“There have been horrific injuries and he was very lucky to have escaped it,” she said.

A White House official said that, shortly after being notified of the incident around 3pm eastern time, President Obama had received a briefing from Lisa Monaco, his Homeland Security adviser, and other members of his senior White House staff.

“The President called Boston Mayor Tom Menino and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to express his concern for those who were injured and to make clear that his administration is ready to provide needed support as they respond to the incident,” the official said.

People were being evacuated from the scene by foot on a bridge across Massachusetts Avenue, local media reported. Individual runners’ belongings, stored near the finish line, were having to be searched to ensure they contained nothing suspicious, they also reported.

Reporting by Robert Wright, Arash Massoudi, Johanna Kassel, Kara Scannell and Anjli Raval

Source: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3891e354-a600-11e2-b7dc-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2QZJi6Fzl

Muslim women kick new AFL goal

Lael Kassem, captain of the Auburn Tigers. Picture: Mitch Cameron Source: The Sunday Telegraph

THEY are the Muslim women using sport to smash cultural stereotypes - just don't ask them who Adam Goodes is.

The Auburn Tigers are the first predominantly Muslim women's AFL team in the country, and although they admit to not knowing much about Aussie rules, that hasn't stopped them using the sport to build cultural awareness.

The team suffered a 130-0 loss to Macquarie University yesterday, but captain Lael Kassem said they want much more than to just put points on the scoreboard.

Ms Kassem, 21, from Auburn, said: "Sport can change everyone's lives and it has done that for so many of our girls.

"When we started the team we didn't think about winning.

"We just wanted to be the most respected team and the most culturally aware team."

Ms Kassem said many of the women had never watched a game of football live or even seen stars such as Sydney Swans player Goodes on TV.

The Muslim team members respect their religion by wearing the traditional head scarf and cover their limbs when they step out on the field.

"The majority of the girls in our team wear the Islamic veil and they can wear tracksuits if that makes them more comfortable," Ms Kassem said.

"We enforce that we are representing our religion so we go on to the field with the best manners and demonstrate Muslims are normal."

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/muslim-women-kick-new-afl-goal/story-fndo317g-1226619890600

Veiled Basketballer Finds Support in US

Despite opposition in different American schools, officials at Gilbert school were open to accept Alahwas' uniform.

BY: ONISLAM 

WINSTED — Finding support among school officials, a veiled Muslim player has joined basketball team in her Connecticut school, hoping to offer a role model for Muslim girls in the United States.

"It is because of my religion," Buthaina Alahwas, a new veield sophomore at Gilbert School in Winsted, Connecticut, told Republican American sports website on Monday, March 4.

"I have to respect my religion." the 16-year-old girl, who moved here from Yemen 11 months ago, added.

She also wears long sleeves and long pants under her uniform to keep modest.Coming from a devout Muslim family, Alahwas wears a hijab, or headscarf, that covers her hair and neck.

Despite opposition in different American schools, officials at Gilbert school were open to accept her uniform.

Accepting the girl in his team, Gerry Hicks, who has been coaching basketball for three decades, tried to help the young girl in finding a safer hijab.

Hicks remembered reading last summer about Saudi Arabia's Olympic team, which for the first time had women participants.

"We thought back to the Olympics and decided there had to be something," he recalled.

The coach surfed the Internet until he found a hijab that was lightweight, intended for sports use and less of a safety risk.

Another barrier was to get exception for the girl's hijab from Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) which follows National Federation of High Schools and allow players to wear head gear in basketball for medical or religious reasons.

Asking for an exception, Gilbert school's request was approved from CIAC.

"We don't believe we've ever turned down one down," said Joel Cookson, the CIAC director of media relations.

Hijab was not, however, welcomed in all schools.

In Hagerstown,Maryland, a player was kept out of a middle school game in 2011 for one half when the referee ruled the hijab was a safety hazard.

Islam sees hijab as an obligatory code of dress, not a religious symbol displaying one’s affiliations.

Hard Worker

Moving from Yemen, where there is no organized basketball for girls, Alahwas wanted to seize the moment to advance and offer a role model for Muslim girls.

"Here we have a coach to teach us how to play," Alahwas, who has been playing basketball since she was 11, said.

"There, it's just (playing) with friends, no coach."

She knows hijab would never pose as a hindrance for her.

For example, Bilqis Abdul-Qaadin, of Springfield, Mass., broke former UConn great Rebecca Lobo's high school career scoring record in Massachusetts, finishing with 3,070 points three years ago.

The veiled Muslim basketballer now plays at the University of Memphis.

Her coach also trusts her ability to advance quickly.

"She has no real knowledge of the game, no real skills like girls who have played longer, but that all comes with time," said Hicks, who noted Alahwas is quite fast and quick.

"She participates in everything, does all the drills. There's nothing that holds her back," he continued.

"I think it's been good for the other girls to have someone of another faith on the team.

“It's good for the fans, who root for her to score. You don't see this much around the league. It's been a good experience."

Original Posting: http://www.onislam.net/english/news/americas/461626-veiled-basketballer-finds-support-in-us.html

Hijab decision for Muslim women soccer players

Fri, Mar 8: A controversy that was keeping Muslim women off of Quebec soccer pitches has been solved, and a Montreal woman played a key role in the solution. As Billy Sheilds reports she thought outside the box to help lift the Quebec Soccer federation's ban on hijabs on the field.

Source: http://www.globalnews.ca/video/hijab+decision+for+muslim+women+soccer+players/video.html?v=2341618236#sports

En Garde: Muslim-American Woman Fencer Slashes Stereotypes

Posted: February 1st, 2013 by the US Embassy in UK

Author: irc

U.S. Fencing’s Ibtihaj Muhammad demonstrates her fencing jacket at a school in East London

On Monday 28 January, Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first Muslim woman to compete on behalf of the United States in international competition, visited three schools in East London. She spoke to students about the importance of setting goals, leading a healthy lifestyle, and overcoming obstacles related to race, religion, and gender.

Ibtihaj, a two-time U.S. National Fencing Champion and a member of the U.S. National Fencing Team since 2009, began fencing at the age of 13. She was raised in an athletic household with four siblings and played many recreational sports growing up. After searching for a sport that would enable her to comply with the Muslim requirement of modesty by remaining fully covered, her mother pointed out students fencing in full body uniforms while driving by their local school. Muhammad said because of this chance moment, “I’d like to think fencing found me.” Reminding students again of the ability to find a passion regardless of circumstance she added, “Don’t let anyone tell you no. There’s nothing you can’t achieve.”

Despite uncovering talent at a fairly young age, the journey to the top for Ibtihaj has not been without obstacles. She shared with students the many difficulties over which she has prevailed and those she continues to face as an African-American, Muslim, female athlete. Taunted by her peers in sport for wearing a hijab and challenged by keeping up with Islamic rituals while maintaining an intensive training and competition schedule (once even completing an Olympic training camp in the high altitude of Colorado Springs while fasting for Ramadan), Ibtihaj proved to the students that refusing to compromise makes for the toughest kind of competitor. Financial barriers have also threatened Ibtihaj’s career from time to time, as the Muhammad family struggled to keep up with the expensive demands on an average income. Students at the Sarah Bonnell School in East London gasped as Muhammad shared the price tag on her fencing mask- around six hundred US dollars. But Ibtihaj reinforced, “When there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Ibtihaj was recruited by Duke University on an academic scholarship where in 2004, 2005, and 2006 she was an NCAA All-American while also double majoring in International Relations and African Studies. After attending her first national fencing event and failing to qualify for the second day of competition, Ibtihaj discovered that to be successful at the level of competition she desired, she would need to set continual realistic and measurable goals. Emphasizing this idea to students, Muhammad compared her goal-setting process to studying for an exam. She explained, “You don’t study really hard to get an A on an exam and then revert to your old ways, slack off, and expect the same results. It’s the same idea I use in training.” Ibtihaj attributes her success to being dedicated to a healthy lifestyle and instilled in students that sometimes a commitment to healthy living requires straying from cultural norms.

Despite her many accolades, Ibtihaj says the most fulfilling aspect of her time as a member of the U.S. National Team has been opportunities to share her story with students like those she visited in East London. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recognized Muhammad’s ability to connect and inspire youth by calling her to serve on the U.S. Department of State’s Council to Empower Women and Girls through Sports alongside athletes like Michelle Kwan and Mia Hamm. But Ibtihaj’s dedication to giving back should not fool anyone into thinking she is taking time away from her hectic training schedule. Her eyes are firmly fixed on the next goal: becoming the first American to wear a hijab at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, 2016.

Full link: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/irc/2013/02/01/en-garde-muslim-american-woman-fencer-slashes-stereotypes/

MWIS Writer Shireen Ahmed Selected for The Best of Football Writing in 2012

Shireen Ahmed's article "Off-Record but on-Field: Veil, Burka, Babushka or Bedsheet?" is selected as one of the Most Compelling writings on football. Congrats Shireen!

Who is Shireen Ahmed: Shireen Ahmed is a frontline worker in Social Services, writer and footballer living in Toronto. Her passions include advocacy, her amazing family, following Football Club Barcelona , coffee and her two cats. She writes about her experiences in football and sport in her blog “Tales of a Hijabi Footballer” at www.footybedsheets.tumblr.com. You can follow her at @_shireenahmed_

Her Article: Off-record but on-field: Veil, Burka, Babushka or Bedsheet?

I am far beyond the usual barrage of questions regarding my hijab.

I live in Toronto. Hijab is hardly a foreign concept. Many women from varied ethnic communities choose to cover. Some fully. Some partially. Some in amazingly-coloured,  culturally-inspired fabrics. Some in pristine designer brands. On the subway. On the street. At concerts. At a Masjid. At schools. At the flea market. Wherever.

Questions come flying at me on the football pitch. Where women my age (30+) are NOT routinely seen on a team or part of a recognized & affiliated club.

My generation of empowered Pakistani-Canadian Muslim women with opportunity, seldom engaged in contact sports. Heavily in Academics, also Art and Music. Definitely not in football / soccer. If they did, they stopped by 12 or 13 years of age.(... Continues)

Continue: http://footybedsheets.tumblr.com/post/27395541349/off-record-but-on-field-veil-burka-babushka-or

Other Nominated Writings: http://afootballreport.com/post/39295318242/the-best-of-football-writing-in-2012

Pakistani and Indian athletes building bridges through football

BY: SHIREEN AHMED

"Today, young female athletes from India and Pakistan have come together to forge new friendships on and off the soccer field" -Ann Stock, US State Department

The United States State Department has an Sports Exchange  program called "Sports United" under the umbrella of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This program hosts athlete delegations from various countries and sends US athletes to other countries to learn about culture and philanthropy through sport. Sports United encompasses fair play principles to build bridges and empower youth.

From September 11-22, 2012 it hosted 18 young women and two coaches from India and Pakistan.

The ten-day program offered opportunities for the athletes and coaches to speak with sports management and offers conflict-resolution workshops. These young women gained access to young athletes, nutritionists and sports professionals during this exchange. They were provided with a tour of ESPN studios in Washington, DC for a tutorial in Sports Media. 

They met with State Dept Rep James Moore (Deputy Assistant for Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of South and Central Asia)  to discuss their challenges, obstacles and share ideas and provide encouragement for one another. 

(Footballers training onsite)

Most importantly was the opportunity for the women to train with and engage in healthy activity with women from their neighbouring country. It is commonly known that India and Pakistan have many socio-cultural, political and religious divides. The differences between the nuclear-armed countries in opinions of history, geo-politics made it almost impossible to get a visa for many years. Athletes were not able to compete against each other in regional competitions thus greatly reducing the prospects for proper local competition. Only recently have both nations signed an agreement to warm relations and facilitate  border crossing.

To connect these talented women abroad in this manner is critical to continue to bridge building and develop understanding for the future. Each delegate was an ambassador to their country. 

Most importantly to accord these athletes such an experience to empower themselves and provide opportunity for personal growth is outstanding. 

These athletes come from countries where there is not yet support for women's football, either financially or culturally and they can be met with resistance. To engage in an exchange to improve their skill, drive and be enjoyable is a fantastic venture.

As the focus of this trip was football the young women attended a professional women's soccer match with DC United Women's team and worked with JoLi Academy for advanced technical training. They were trained with accomplished players such as Joanna Lohmann (DC United Women and also a Co-founder of the JoLi Academy). Lohmann took to twitter to praise the efforts of the young delegates and respectfully noted their challenges.

This program was a success in connecting women and teaching them how their participation in sport can transcend into high achievement in the classroom and improve life skills.

Passion for football can be used to foster a relationship-building process that is still in its' early stages. 

In an interview with The Hindu, 16 year-old Chinta Anjani Rashmitha from India stated: "Before I came here, I didn't have a connection with any of the people [I have met during this trip]. Now, using communication skills that I never knew I had, I have built a relationship with the people of Pakistan via sports. We get closer with soccer, share our ideas, some in common, some with differences, and become better citizens."  

Despite cultural differences, language barriers and background these women came together, worked hard, trained, observed learned and played a fantastic amount of football.

They have the tools to go back to their communities and teach, inspire and create initiative. 

Sports have the ability to bring people together and produce not just great sportsmanship but wonderfully optimistic people. These young talented footballers are no exception. 

(Delegation from Pakistan)

Pictures from training session:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/50221841@N06/sets/72157631534165851/

c/o US Dept of State: South and Central Asia Photostream

"United We Stand"... no honour among bigots.

By: Shireen AHMED

These Olympic Games have been hailed a success and triumph for women in sports. For the first time, every participating country has entered females athletes, including Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia.

During the last 2 weeks, women's sporting events have capture the hearts of fans all over the world like Gabby Douglas ; embodied the love of a country as did Jessica Ennis and have been swept up in the disappointment of a lifetime Canada Women's National Soccer Team.

Many have declared that London 2012 were the "Women's Games". The United States won a total of 104 medals. More than half of those were earned by the female athletes. Canada's lone gold medal was won by Rosie McLennan in the trampoline event. 

These games saw over 70,000 fans in Wembley Stadium watching women's football finals; sold out gymnasiums to see riveting volleyball matches; athletic events memerizing miliions of people. Television ratings through the roof thanks to savvy social media technology and the most wired Games yet.  

Women of colour and various backgrounds have represented their homelands with joy, trepidation and passion.

As an avid footballer and fan, I was elated to see the Women's events getting positive press and as much attention that the Men's events are accustomed to. Looking forward to more possibilities and the opportunities for Women's professional football in North America.

As the saying goes: "Citius, Altius, Fortius", right?

More than enough excitement to inspire young women all over the world, right? Wrong.

Even in the height of glory for women who are competing in events where no discrimination may be made on basis of gender, colour, creed, religion, sexual orientation, there is always room for venom. 

Many young women and USA National Women's Soccer Team (USWNT) supporters took to twitter to express their happiness August 9th, after the USWNT played an amazing final to beat Japan  -current Women's World Cup Champions-  2 to1 for the Gold medal.

 In a move that can only be called exponentially ignorant, fans declared the USA's historic win  "payback for Pearl Harbor", a likeness to the slaughter of Hiroshima. Some are quoted using derogatory slurs and other professing their disdain for "Asians". 

Coincidentally, the final match was played on the 67th Anniversary of the Nagasaki and Hiroshima tragedies.

The Japanese team lit candles prior to the game in honour of the victims. 

Hiroshima was the first nuclear holocaust unleashed on the Japanese by the Americans. Nagasaki was bombed 3 days later. The effects were devastating for an entire generation. It is a sad piece of history.

Moving forward will all competitions ( athletic, academic or otherwise) between USA and Japan compared to horrific events from the last century? Events that lead to the deaths of thousands of innocent people. Insulting and 

More frustrating was the scathing and hateful comments were posted from what appeared to be mostly young women.

The US women's team working tirelessly as a group of dedicated and highly skilled footballers, with good sportswomanship against another talented team, should have been an example for young women to learn grace and dignity in competition- not eschew kindness and compassion.  

This may also reflect badly on the team itself. As new celebrities, they are role-models of positivity, hard-work and integrity. Our daughters, sisters look up to them. They learn from their attitudes, interviews and opinions. 

The USA Women's National Team should have issued a statement publicly denouncing such tweets. Most of the star players have active twitter accounts: @abbywambach, @mPinoe, @alexmorgan13, @hopesolo

Perhaps, it is not in their mandate to get involved in these types of issues. But it would have been a goodwill gesture towards their Japanese counterparts. 

These superb athletes have no interest in casting dark clouds over a joyous event. To congratulate them in this manner is insulting as well. Not in the spirit they intended to succeed.

These nasty remarks are being used to congratulate the team in an event that had no political agenda whatsoever. 

Moreover, the mutual respect between these two great football teams is put on the back-burner so fans can come up with a witty comment in less than 140 characters. 

Will this lesson of solidarity in women's achievements ever be learned? As soon as there is a place, there will be offensive comments by other women. 

These "fans" may not be the typical hooligans, looting and causing public disruption but they are equally as poisonous to society. 

No honour among bigots.

Not only did it offend a great country of resilient people, who are still recovering from the devastating earthquake of 2011, it also provided a forum for hatred to take over the spirit of tolerance and friendship the Games are expected to espouse. 

Historically, many countries have been at odds politically throughout the duration of the games, but Japan and the United Stated are not currently at war. Unless I missed the memo or overlooked the tweet. 

There is no justification for such stupidity. 

There is no room for pride and arrogance in a world where women are aiming to go forth in sport together. 

This isn't solidarity for fellow sisters, it's an atom bomb of hate.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2186422/London-2012-Soccer-Racist-tweets-US-beat-Japan-Olympic-gold-anniversary-Nagasaki-A-bomb.html#ixzz23FIp9cbA

Ramadan Exercise Tips from Ibtihaj Mohammad

Who's Afraid of Muslim Women Exercising?

By Avi SPIEGEL (co-authored with Adina Batnitzky)

Imagine this scenario: a group of women in southern California ask their local YMCA for an extra swim class. The YMCA would have to stay open a bit later than usual, but it happily obliges. It is summer, and the women, who are content to pay for the class, are eager to use this opportunity to improve their health. For many of them, it will even be their first time in the pool.

Why did they ask for this class in the first place? Perhaps their work schedule prohibits them from finding another suitable time. Perhaps they are shy and prefer not to swim around other people, even men. Perhaps this is a unique opportunity for the women in the community to bond together. Any of those reasons would have probably been met with widespread approval or even indifference. None would have sparked the outcry that this class did.

When a San Diego YMCA recently set up an extra swim class for a group of East African Muslim women, it caused an unprecedented backlash. The women who requested this class sought a safe space to exercise without men around -- in a way that would honor their Muslim faith and their personal traditions of modesty.

The website Jihad Watch called the class "racist" and likened it to "all-white swimming hours."

In local outlets, some said it foreshadowed an Islamic "takeover" of our society. Some said the "Y" was sustaining practices, such as veiling, that are supposedly deleterious to women. Others claimed these women should be assimilated not accommodated. For the first time in its history, the website for PBS's local television station cut off all comments.

But such distorted talk about Islam distracts from the matter at hand. This is a public health issue, and if the women were from any other background or religious faith, this controversy would not exist. This swim class should be applauded, promoted and even extended to other communities.

Public health officials are increasingly talking about ways to get people moving in our country. Michelle Obama has helped make promoting exercise and combating obesity a top national concern. But our one-size-fits-all approach to health needs some alterations.

Americans tend to be sympathetic to economic explanations for a lack of physical activity (say, people can't afford gym memberships or don't have the time to exercise because of their busy work schedule). But we have a harder time grappling with cultural norms that might prevent exercise.

The East African community requesting this class is a community with high rates of hypertension and diabetes. Shouldn't we be celebrating their efforts to actively improve their health through exercise?

Research among Muslims in the Arab world (conducted by Adina Batnitzky) has shown that women have higher rates of obesity than men precisely because they rarely have culturally appropriate spaces for exercise. And when such places do exist, they are reserved largely for the upper class.

Isn't it a testament to America that Muslim women of any socioeconomic status can find or even create suitable spaces for exercise here? Even more remarkable is that they are doing this at theYoung Men's Christian Association. Our forefathers, who traveled here to practice their faith in the way they wanted, would be proud.

Some of the most perverse comments suggested that these Muslim women only requested this class because they were being "brainwashed" or "controlled" by their husbands. Why else, this line of thinking goes, would they not want to exercise around men? But many women prefer to exercise only around other women. In fact, all-women's gyms dot the country with very little objection. (Curves is the most famous.) And this class at the "Y" is open to all women, regardless of whether or not they are Muslim.

Public health officials should learn from these women. We are slowly recognizing the need to take patients' backgrounds into consideration when it comes to health care delivery. But we need to do the same when it comes to preventing poor health. More communities should be implementing culturally specific exercise classes, especially for immigrants and ethnic minority groups with higher risks of lifestyle-related diseases.

The women at this YMCA are honoring both their background and their need for better health. That is just the type of thing that will get all Americans moving.

A modified version of this piece appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune. Adina Batnitzky is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of San Diego. Avi Spiegel is an assistant professor of political science and international relations at the University of San Diego and a Fellow at the Strauss Center for International Security and Law.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/avi-spiegel/whos-afraid-of-muslim-women-exercising_b_1702957.html

USOC lifted the bar for Muslim woman A year later, competing for Pakistan, she hopes for Olympic chance

Philip Hersh from Chicago Tribute

Globetrotting by Philip Hersh

Kulsoom Abdullah at the 2011 World Weightlifting Championships (Ccurtesy Kulsoom Abdullah / April 13, 2012)

Next week at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in South Korea, a computer engineer from Atlanta will take another step she hopes could lead to the 2012 London Olympics.

That Kulsoom Abdullah has gotten this far is nothing short of a miracle, given what she needed to overcome in the often hidebound world of international sports.

It is a miracle for which the United States Olympic Committee deserves global praise at a time when much of the world criticizes the USOC for being selfish because it wants a fair and necessary share of both U.S. television rights for the Games and global Olympic sponsorship rights, more than half of which come from U.S. multinationals.

Without the USOC - especially Dragomir Cioroslan, its international relations director --- Abdullah's petition for rule changes about competition costumes that would allow her to feel comfortable as both a Muslim woman and a weightlifter never would have reached the proper authorities.

The result of the USOC's help is Abdullah, a U.S. citizen, has been able to compete in major events  - for her parents' native country, Pakistan.

"I clearly believe this shows we are a selfless organization," Cioroslan said.

While that clearly is not true in all cases, as cash-starved U.S. athletes who chafe at the big USOC management salaries can point out, it definitely is true in this one.

And Abdullah's case represents progress for all Muslim women, even as the repressive sheikhs in Saudi Arabia still refuse to name a woman to their Olympic team.

This all developed barely a year ago, when the Council on American-Islamic Relations sent a letter to USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun asking for support in effecting the changes Abdullah needed to compete in major U.S. events.

Blackmun turned to Cioroslan, a vice-president of the International Weightlifting Federation.

"Scott told me, `If we can help, this is the right thing to do,''' Cioroslan said.  "We feel sports should be accepting and inclusive."

Cioroslan somehow succeeded at getting the item on the IWF agenda for a key meeting a month later. To its credit, the international federation immediately adopted changes that would accommodate both the sport's technical rules and Adbullah's desire to satisfy her cultural and religious norms.

"(After) CAIR and the media took my plight to the USOC, their (USOC) subsequent intervention in helping me have my voice heard was monumental for me," Adbullah said in an email.

"The time and effort spent finally became a reality, officially breaking boundaries, leading myself and other women to potentially more opportunities."  

Abdullah's first event was last summer's U.S. Championships, where she was a distant fifth of six in the 106-pound class.  After that, she contacted the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation, which chose her as the first female lifter to represent the country at the World Championships last November.

The USOC was fine with that.

"It's not unusual for an athlete to pursue an Olympic dream through all avenues open to them," Cioroslan said.

Abdullah, who turned 36 in March and began competing only two years ago, was among just eight women representing a predominantly Muslim country in a field with 223 entrants.   She finished 23rd of 27 in her weight class, lifting 100 pounds less than the 22nd finisher.

"I feel very fortunate to be able to compete at high levels when my abilities are not as high as the other athletes from other countries. . .and at the same time help make a difference," she said.

Pakistan has not earned an 2012 Olympic women's weightlifting spot, but it can get one of 12 "wild card" invitations.

It would be easy -- and not wrong -- to say there are so many women whose results far outweigh Abdullah's that she should not go to London ahead of them.

But the international federation already has made a statement by giving Abdullah -- and all women who prefer more coverage of their bodies, not just Muslims  -- the freedom she needed to compete.

That is how Abdullah came to follow U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the lectern at a State Department reception for Eid ul-Fitr last September.  Clinton introduced her by saying she is "forging the way for Muslim women athletes to maintain their freedom of expression and still compete at the highest level." 

Weightlifting, a sport as old as Atlas, has shown itself to be far more progressive about women athletes than sports like volleyball, which has insisted women wear skintight short shorts for the indoor game and until recently mandated bikinis for beach volleyball.

The attention Abdullah would get in London would spread the message IWF president Tomas Ajan insisted was behind the change.

``This rule modification has been considered in the spirit of fairness, equality and inclusion,'' Ajan said.

So was the USOC's decision to help a woman who never will wear "USA" on her costume.
Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/globetrotting/chi-usoc-lifted-the-bar-for-muslim-woman-20120412,0,5770306.column