Muslim Girls banned by racists from playing soccer

MUSLIMS DECRY SOCCER REFEREE'S CALL ON HIJAB - TOP Effect is to isolate children: leaders. Heinrich, Gazette, 2/27/07
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/montreal/story.html?id=83f54850-a76c-45f9-9fd1-128a1ed390b5&k=80981
Muslim groups reacted with dismay over the Quebec soccer hijab furor yesterday, saying excluding Muslim girls from playing sports because of their religious clothing is a blow for tolerance and multiculturalism."Here is the point: when this girl was given the choice between her religion and being in the game, she decided on her religion - and this will happen every time," said imam Salam Elmenyawi, head of the Muslim Council of Montreal."If you don't accommodate girls like her, then you're pushing them into isolation, into a ghetto, and I think this is really dangerous."Barring hijab-wearers like Asmahan (Azzy) Mansour - the 11-year-old Ottawa girl at the centre of the controversy - just encourages those who would prefer Muslims form their own sports leagues and play outside the mainstream, others said.In Ottawa, the Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations said it's a good sign that Azzy's team supported her by walking out of the Laval tournament on Sunday."The tremendous support shown for the Muslim player is an indication that common sense and respect for religious differences are more powerful than arbitrary rules," the group's executive director, Karl Nickner, said in a statement.Hijabs aren't a safety hazard because they can fastened with Velcro to come off easily in case of a collision, he added, comparing them to other headgear athletes use such as sweat bands and bandannas. (MORE)SEE ALSO:RIDICULOUS RULING ON A HEAD SCARF - TOP The Gazette, 2/27/07

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/editorial/story.html?id=4c487ec1-2627-4eca-86d2-849f9d851bfe It's extraordinary the fuss that can be stirred up when too little information meets too many preconceptions.On Sunday, a soccer referee ordered Asmahan Mansour, an 11-year-old sixth-grader from Ontario, to remove her hijab or scarf, calling it "a physical threat" to others playing in a junior indoor tournament in Laval.In protest, her coach pulled the team, the Nepean Hotspurs Selects, from the meet, and other Ontario teams followed suit.Quebec soccer officials supported the ref, saying his hands were tied by FIFA, soccer's world governing body, which regulates on-field attire. Jewellery, for instance, is banned.Quebec Soccer Federation general manager Brigitte Frot told The Gazette that FIFA regulations specifically prohibit headgear of any kind and, hence, the ref's decision was right.News reports then weighed in asserting FIFA rules prohibit any form of religious garb. The story climbed the news-cycle ladder until even Premier Jean Charest got involved, opining the official's hands were tied.Not so fast. Head gear is specifically allowed by FIFA. You can confirm this for yourself ( www.fifa.com/en/laws/Laws4_01.htm).Nowhere does FIFA's code even mention religious head dress. And the relevant section of FIFA Law 4 states "modern protective equipment such as headgear, facemasks, knee and arm protectors made of soft, lightweight, padded material are not considered to be dangerous and are, therefore, permitted." (MORE)