History will be made at the London Olympics later today when judo competitor Wojdan Shaherkani fights Puerto Rico’s Melissa Mojica. The 16-year-old Saudi is making headlines because of what she will wear to compete. Saudi clerics require women to wear the Islamic hijab in public. This loose-fitting garment would give Shaherkani a competitive advantage, however, since opponents would not be able to use her clothing for leverage (a common practice in judo). But anything that makes her clothing more form-fitting would violate Muslim standards. As a compromise, authorities decided she would be allowed to compete wearing a headscarf, a decision other judo competitors supported.
Read the entire story at Muslim athlete wearing hijab in Olympic event on the
Denison Forum on Truth and Culture
