A female Muslim gymnast has been criticised by religious leaders for wearing a leotard during the representation of her country at a sporting event.
However, Farah Ann Abdul Hadi, who won a total of six medals including two gold medals in the women’s floor exercise and women’s team event, while competing at the Southeast Asia Games last week, has been defended by thousands of fans.
The 21-year-old had been rebuked by Muslim leaders in Malaysia for showing off her ‘aurat’ – an Islamic word meaning the shape of the genitalia and thighs, which religious texts say must be covered.
Tens of thousands of supporters have come out to defend her including the country’s youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who told officials to ‘leave her alone’.
Cleric Harussani Zakaria told one local paper:’Gymnastics is not for Muslim women. It is clear that exposing one’s aurat and the shape of one’s body is haram (forbidden in Islam). ‘If Muslim women want to participate in gymnastics, they have to find outfits which cover the aurat and this, in turn, might not be suitable for the sport. Roszida Kamaruddin, head of the female wing of the National Muslim Youth Association, added: ‘Women should not be stopped from sports, but they must prioritise the Islamic codes in sports.’Furthermore, there are many Muslim female athletes who succeed even by covering their aurat.’
However, at a press conference in Singapore, Mr Jamaluddin said: ‘As Minister of Sport, I still hold to the principle that it is up to the athlete on what he or she wants to wear as long as the attire is regulation approved by the federation, by the sport. ‘That’s his or her choice, what he or she wants to wear.’I think this whole incident also smacks of sexism. Nobody has complained about … kinky Speedos, or Sazali (Samad) wearing tight shorts when he flexes his muscles but when it comes to gymnasts, suddenly it’s a big problem.’In gymnastics Farah wowed the judges and brought home gold. In her deeds only the Almighty judges her. Not you. Leave our athletes alone.’
(The Department of Islamic Development) can also possibly come up with guidelines for certain men to lower their gaze if they find it too excitable to be looking at female athletes.
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