Hamas-Linked CAIR Demands Olympic Weight Lifting Make Exceptions for Muslims

Islamic supremacism comes to the Olympics. *sigh*

Once again, anywhere Western law and Islamic law conflict, it is always Western law that must give way -- and worse still, it is the non-Muslims who do the bidding of the Islamic supremacists.

Kulsoom Abdullah, a 35-year-old weightlifter born in the United States, wants to wear the hijab instead of the regulation uniform that is required. She took up the sport and qualified to compete in her first national competition last year but refused to wear the required garb.

So now the Muslim Brotherhood group CAIR is going to sue to change the dedicated rules of sport. One weightlifter lamented, "While I sympathize with the reason she wants an exception, this is an issue about the integrity of the sport. I have competed in both powerlifting and olympic lifting. Supportive equipment that increases the weight lifted is a BIG problem in powerlifting. Squat suits can add up to 200 pound to a competition squat. Olympic lifting has worked hard to keep supportive gear out of the sport. The reason for the tight rules on uniform is to keep out supportive gear and make it easy to catch people who try to cheat and use it. Something as simply as bunching up material beind the knees or an extra tight leotard under the uniform can increase the weight lifted and the consistency of a lifter. This is especially true at lower weights (under 120kilos)."

And do read the comments on this article. Few sympathizers, if any. Folks are fed up.

Woman weightlifter fights to compete in hijab Yahoo

A 35-year-old weightlifter is battling to be able to compete in the sport she loves while wearing a hijab instead of the body-hugging uniform that's required.

Kulsoom Abdullah, who was born in the United States to Pakistani parents, discovered weightlifting at her gym, Crossfit, in Atlanta in 2008. She entered her first open competition last year, and was thrilled to find out that she was actually pretty good in the competitive sport. She can lift 70 kilos (about 154 pounds) to her shoulders, and 60 kilos (or about 132 pounds) over her head, in a move called the "clean-and-jerk." Last December, she qualified for the American Open Weightlifting Championships, which would have been her first national competition.

But when her coaches asked whether she would be able to wear her modified uniform--which covers everything but her face, hands, and feet--the organizers told told them no.

Abdullah talked to some lawyer friends, who told her that other athletes had won their bids to wear different clothing for religious reasons. So she tried again, this time personally writing to USA Weightlifting with her request, and asking the group if it could compromise on a uniform.

"It is like saying, if you are different, you can not compete," she wrote on her web site. "I am not asking people to change, I am just asking to participate and be able to dress the way I do."

Now, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim advocacy group, is taking up Abdullah's cause, and trying to lobby weightlifting organizations to revise their rules in time for her to compete in a July national competition. CAIR officials are arguing that USA Weightlifting is in violation of the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, which forbids sports bodies from discriminating based on "race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin." Not allowing Abdullah to wear her hijab is discrimination, CAIR maintains.

USA Weightlifting told The Lookout in a statement that "uniforms must not cover either the knees or the elbows because the judges must be able to see that the lifter has locked out his or her knees and elbows in order for the lift to be deemed completed." The IWF will discuss Abdullah's request at a June 26 meeting in Penang, Malaysia. United States Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Jones says the group is committed to being "inclusive" but that it's up to the IWF to decide if the modified uniform would provide a "competitive advantage."

While the weightlifting powers-that-be have decided against her for now, Abdullah says she never feels out of place when training six days a week or when in open competitions with other lifters.

Her religous garb outfit does not allow the judges to verify that she has completed a move. So she can't compete. It would give her an unfair advantage. End of story. But no, Muslims believe in supremacist advantages, but that doesn't mean we have to submit. This is exactly the same supremacist strategy used by Muslim Wal-Mart cashiers and Target cashiers who won't handle halal meat, or the Muslim woman suing Disney to change the dress code they have on place in 1957: they sue to impose Islam on the secular marketplace. 

Muslim Brotherhood-tied CAIR has persuaded the US Olympic committee to push for change. I wonder how much that cost the Hamas-tied group? And who took the payola?

 

CAIR Bulletin: U.S. OLYMPIC COMMITTEE ASKS FOR REVIEW OF HIJAB POLICY -

USOC to advocate on behalf of Muslim weightlifter at international meeting

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/10/11) -- Following intervention by CAIR, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) says it will present the case of a Muslim weightlifter in Georgia who wishes to compete wearing modest Islamic attire (hijab) to an international body meeting June 26 in Malaysia.

CAIR says the USOC will ask a committee of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) to review a policy preventing the Muslim athlete, 35-year-old Kulsoom Abdullah (http://liftingcovered.com/), from competing in the USA Weightlifting Senior Nationals to be held this July in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

USA Weightlifting is a United States Olympic Committee National Governing Body (NGB). Officials of USA Weightlifting cite IWF rules in barring Abdullah from competition.

The IWF committee's recommendation will be presented to the body's executive board, which meets the next day in Penang, Malaysia.

“We appreciate the United States Olympic Committee's prompt action in support of religious diversity in sport and will monitor the results of the meetings in Malaysia,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. “We believe there is always a way to maintain the legitimate rules of any sport, while offering athletes reasonable religious accommodation.”

Awad thanked all those who contacted the USOC and the other parties involved in the issue to express support for the rights of athletes of all faiths who wish to wear modest attire. We hope to see you there !

Comments

[Alyn]

Does the Taliban know about this??? It seems strange that while in muslim societies women are not even allowed to drive, in the U.S.A. muslim girls can be weight lifters. And muslims in America actually support this.
To paraphrase Alice in Wonderland, "It just gets curiouser and curiouser"

[Mitch]

Put the weights down, lady. And get in tow behind your husband.

[blindreason]

There's a recent story about a female that wants to wear her Marine uniform to her high school graduation, instead of the required cap and gown. Can we tell the high school girl yes, and tell the Muslim girl no? I suggest that a better policy is to ask everyone to follow whatever rules are in place, instead of being a drama queen and asking that the rules be changed just for you. Then later try to get the rules changed through usual channels.

[kafir]

Sue CAIR for harassment, misogyny, interruption of business, loss of profits, employeee time wasted, PR losses, sue them into dust.

[kafir]

She threatens me as a woman because her capitulation to slavery implies I should do the same, her zeal to spread slavery to all women is a direct threat and I feel very viscous and militant about that concept when it comes to me or my daughters. In short, she'd better stop fucking with American women, her slave cloth display is like a black African loving their shackles and expecting American blacks to love them too, shaming them if they don't don them too.

[Frank]

Pamela-I think one of your concerns re Islam is that it is really a political ideology (Sharia) flying under the cover of religion and it that it has the long term potential to be a threat to the constitution (especially the bill of Rights), the supreme law of the land. I think you absolutely right in that.

I also think Islam (as currently constituted) is a potential existential threat to Jewish people. It's like watching the movie Poltergeist II re Jew-haters in the Left-Muslim alliance("they're back").

The good news? I think more Unbelievers people "get it" re the politics of this.

(Usually, in history, a few elite people in a political movement (Islam, Nazis etc.) use the ideology to get power, and often see their followers (as Goebbels did) as "idiots" (Goebbels actually called the Nazi rank and file that in private after a speech in early 1943).

A lot of people have been and are "useful idiots" (to use Lenin's term) for Islam, too. Next, clowns? instead of weight-lifters?)

[marye]

wow. what ignorant comments and ignorant writing.
first of all , the conclusion that" Her religous garb outfit does not allow the judges to verify that she has completed a move. " is stated no where else in the article. the fellow competitor says that it could hide supportive devices, a legitimate complaint. couldn't there be some way to check, like boxers and jockeys are weighed before competition and race cars are checked before races? Second, halal meat is meat that complies with Muslim law, like Kosher meat complies with Jewish law, so Muslim cashiers would have no problem with it. If they had trouble with other meat, so what? Kosher Jews don't get this kind of harassment.As to some of the comments, her'capitulation to slavery' shows total ignorance. Yes, the burkha and other methods of Sharia law are completely oppressive to women. But women who choose to wear a head scarf do so, mostly out of modesty, something our country could use a little more of. She's not implying that anyone else do it. Amish women and some of other conservative Christian sects wear head coverings and get no such harassment. Islam is not a political movement. It is a religion. Not all Muslims are political. Sharia is a law system within the faith, not in politics. The fact that it gets used that way is unfortunate, but we must be well informed. There are many so called Christians (KKK and their ilk)and other ethnic groups that are just as much a threat to Jewish people as Muslims, but they get no such harassment.

My point is- learn your facts and question why you are so angry towards Muslims as a whole, monolithic group. I am a follower of Jesus and do not agree with the tenents of Islam. But the individuals who live out their faith in everyday life are no threat to me, its the political war mongers, radical Imams and their crazy followers. And don't simply write me off and tell me to leave this country, because it is the same right that we have to post here that allows them to live out their lives. Think back to when the other waves of immigrants were held up as ungodly and threatening, probably many of whom are in your background- Irish, German, French Canadian, Italians.....
I realize none of you who follow an ignorant, racist, xenophobic blog like this will take me seriously, but I feel the need to speak some truth. Go ahead, dismiss me, I know you will...

[kafir]

UR ignorant, islam is not a race
and islam is xenophobic, they kill all nonmuslims

you are stupid

[rodney]

I think in cases such as this, it is not the individual Muslims intitiating the demands, but CAIR and such--who may be pressuring and even threatening them.

[marye]

I never said Islam is a race, I believe I said it was a religion.
xenophobia is an intense fear or dislike of people from other countries. It seems that folks who follow blogs like this would have all people who don't appear to be from this country (Arabs, Latinos, Asians) because in some way they threaten some high sense of 'Western' superiority. That's why term like 'Islamic supremacists' appeals to you all.
Islam itself is not the problem, its a few leaders who appeal to those who harbor the same kinds of attitudes that you do and turn them for their own power hungry agendas.
In a similar way Christianity has been hijacked over the centuries for similar ends.
Ignorance, fear and greed for power never get us anywhere.
I think if you compare how this comment is written to how yours is, we can easily follow the stupidity trail.

[marye]

Research on CAIR shows it to be an organization working towards education, civil and human rights and against ignorance hatred and violence.

Here's some info-
CAIR is a high-profile organization that represents a minority in the United States that is often
treated as suspect and frequently subjected to discrimination. We recognize that this very
public profile, along with our community’s current struggle to find full acceptance in our
nation’s pluralistic landscape, will draw the ire of nativists, bigots and those who seek to profit
from the Islamophobic “fear industry.”
CAIR board chairman and South Carolina State Senator Larry Shaw summed up the truth of
the organization’s mission when he issued the following statement in March, 2009:
“CAIR exists to uphold the right to liberty that Americans are guaranteed under the
Constitution. We will challenge any attempts to erode constitutionally-protected liberties. We
will also continue to work to ensure that American Muslims play a positive and productive role
in our society.
“In carrying out our mission of promoting justice and mutual understanding, we honor and will
continue to learn from groups who have faced similar challenges, including African-Americans,
Asian-Americans and many others.
“CAIR embraces the cultural and religious pluralism that is a hallmark of America and
repudiates any misuse of Islam to falsely justify violence or intolerance. "

BTW, the article supposedly quoted above is not what CAIR's bulletin said. check out the actual article on cair.com. here's an excerpt:

Abdullah isn't trying to gain any sort of competitive edge, however.
She merely wants to abide by her beliefs when she's snatching a bar full of weights above her head. When first starting out, she was allowed to enter local meets wearing garb that made her comfortable on the inside and out: Loose-fitting exercise pants, a tight-fitting long-sleeve shirt with a T-shirt over it, and the head scarf.
As she attempted to move up to higher-level competitions, she ran up against International Weightlifting Federation rules, which forbid suits that cover either the knees or elbows because judges must be able to see that both have been locked out to complete a lift.
OK, that's understandable. But Abdullah said a tight-fitting shirt allows judges to get a good look at her elbows. And, if it meant ensuring a level playing field, she'd certainly be willing to wear a leg covering that conforms to her religion but allows the judges to determine whether she's completed a lift. Considering all the advances in athletic apparel, that shouldn't be a major issue.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/09/2259236_p2/muslim-lifter-tries-to-compete.html#ixzz1Ozi5fvXZ

Oh Yeah, and since when is the Olympic committee running under 'Western Law". It's a global organization.

[kafir]

islam itself is the problem, oh ignorant one

it is the hundreds of koranic commands to exterminate the nonmuslim and condones rape, slavery, mutilations, thievery, etc. which muslims do not change and idiots like you who are too dumb to know what's in the koran and defend it blindly, that is the problem

[Satya]

marye,

First of all please stop calling us racists.

I am Asian and I despise islam.

And there is always a distinction to be made between muslims and islam. We are fortunate that many muslims do not take the teachings of islam or their prophet seriously. Many muslims are even completely ignorant of mohameds crimes like beheadings, assasinations, child sex and so on.

And some muslims are unable to leave their religion because of social pressures, death threats, and so on.

Muslims in short are only pawns in this game of world domination. what makes islam unique is that it encourages its followers to commit some of the most heinous acts and most muslims support them because the End-Goal for the muslims is the spread and domination of islam.

There is NO such thing as moderate islam or extremist islam. There is only one islam and it is extremist by definition.

sorry for my English. It is not my first language.

[Demsci]

You write this in defense of Muslims. Fine. Many of us consider all Muslims totally responsible for their faith, others will tell you that they are against Islam but that they do not hate Muslims.

And perhaps you make the mistake that because you want to defend Muslims, you as a result also whitewash Islam, desperately wanting to paint it as neutral. When it is shown here that it is different, hostile to many Democratic laws and values. Who you thus fail to defend. And about knowledge of it; there is plenty is knowledge on sites like this. And on real contents of Islam too, even Muslims have a very hard time winning debates on contents of Islam here.

And because of that knowledge and because of the behavior of many Muslims oftentimes we also get worried and try to defend real victims of Islam and potential future victims of Islam.

See, you defend Muslims, we defend victims of Islam. And we have seen ample evidence that sometimes you just have to choose which side you are going to defend, because you can't defend both. And when you at all costs want to defend Muslims, before you know it, you will in effect have failed to defend/ protect real and potential victims. You will have to face that responsibility then.

And what is it REALLY that you are defending for Muslims? Their possible hurt feelings! Not their lifes, their rights. which are safe here! But the victims of Islam; they can get killed, raped, forcibly married, forced to wear the hijab, treated unequal before the Islamic law. And this should be studied globally, so also where Muslims have free reign and power. Not just nationally. Because nationally Muslims seems a minority in need of protection, but

there is plenty of evidence that Muslims also think globally and are first and foremost loyal to their Ummah, worldwide community, as Mohammed and Ihsanoglu of the OIC, told them to do. So yes, a monolithic bloc, in relation to non-Muslims.

So please consider well Which persons and WHAT laws and values you prioritize to defend and which one as a result you fail to defend because of that, in criminal negligence.

[mk750]

There is a Jewish girl, Naama Shafir who plays basketball at Toledo University who is in a similar controversy because she claims to be Orthodox and cannot go around with bare arms. In an international competition she was told she must wear the same uniform as her teammates.
Aside from the fact that shorts don't seem to be a problem for her, tho they should be and the actual playing of competitive sports is not in keeping with Orthodox ideas of modesty, I have to ask do we ban the Moslem and let the Jewish girl have her way or is it one rule for all? As an Orthodox Jewish woman, if I wanted to play a sport, I would admit to compromising my strict standard on this issue and get on with it. I would not ask for special favors. And if I were a Moslem, I would do the same. Both are such examples of "feminine beauty, charm and grace" as my late Mother would say. I think they're both ridiculous in their overly entitled thinking.

http://www.vosizneias.com/85183/2011/06/09/israel-tzniyut-spat-might-sideline-orthodox-jewish-female-athlete

[mk750]

And BTW, I do admit to compromising when it comes to beach going. I do not go to the separate women's beaches without my husband and I do wear a normal, if modest LLBean swim suit. That's my choice and my religious responsibility. May Hashem be merciful to an old lady who just likes to swim.

[Tory]

"Amish women and some of other conservative Christian sects wear head coverings and get no such harassment."

This statement has no correlation to the issue, nor is it correct to characterize it as "harassment". Where are these Amish women...suing Hooters or sports teams cheerleading squads to be able to participate on their own terms? There is no "harassment" in stipulating that certain garb be necessary in order to participate in a certain activity; why do you think that public pools, here and abroad, generally prohibit streetwear and require suitable swim suits? The reason is for the safety of the swimmer...street clothes, including the burka and hijab, are heavy when wet and create a drowning hazard. In this case, the governing body of the sport has previously laid out the regulations regarding suitable garments and the reasons behind those rules, which are pragmatic and reasonable to those wishing to play on a level playing field.

As far as your PR campaign on behalf of CAIR, you neglected to note that CAIR itself feeds the public's legitimate suspicion and distrust that it disingenuously laments...it was founded in part from donations via the Holy Land Association, which has been designated a terror organization and that was indicted for providing material support to Hamas. CAIR has also received funding from the Saudi-affiliated World Assembly of Muslim Youth, which promotes books such as "Islamic Views", which expounds on gentle and noble themes such as "Teach our children to love taking revenge on the Jews and the oppressors..."

[bortloff]

this is stupid if she want to be part of the team then be part of the team. the team uniform is what she should wear.

[Person of the Book]

This is exactly the same supremacist strategy used by Muslim Wal-Mart cashiers and Target cashiers who won't handle halal meat --> Speaking of the Wal-Mart and Target cashiers who won't handle NON-halal meat (Pam, I think that's what you meant.) -- WHAT ABOUT ALL OF THE MUSLIM-OWNED GAS STATIONS WHICH SELL HOT DOGS ON THE GRILL? AND ALCOHOL TOO! How come we never hear about them? Answer: because the whole thing is bogus. It's jihad against the West, nothing more.

The woman athlete can cover her head, that won't violate the Olympic rules.

[marye]

In response to the article, I don't think there are any victims of Islam here. If the sport authorities decide not to let her wear her 'garb', well then that's it.
I defend the values of Christianity, which, while they disagree with Islam do not spread fear and hatred of others. I don't think this would be a site where I would look for objective information about Islam or anything else for that matter. Secondly, i defend the laws of the US which state that everyone has the freedom to practice their faith, even if I disagree. There are those who value the hijab and want to follow their faith. I don't defend terrorists or those who preach hate from any viewpoint, no matter what they say their faith is. Thirdly, I would defend those who are oppressed in any place, whether it be by Islam, which does happen, or by governments of every stripe, or by churches of every stripe.

[marye]

No, but the Amish have had to fight for the right to educate their children in their way, to drive buggies and have roads that accommodate them, to have people handle money in businesses that deal with non-Amish as they can't directly handle the money. So while sports might not be an issue, just a point to say that there are other groups who, sometimes with the help of lawyers ask for accommodations in society.

[marye]

I can see this is a place where very little actual discussion goes on, simply a place for already decided opinions to be written, and backed up by half truths and fear mongering. It is sad to me that this kind of thing is prevalent in our country, where we pretend to be welcoming and understanding. I will continue to work in my community, loving my neighbor with the love Jesus has shown me, which in this area also includes refugees from around the work, many of whom are Muslims fleeing conflict and looking for a safe place to live out their lives. When given the open heart I will tell His story and pass on HIs love. I see no open hearts here. I pray God breaks through the hardness in some way. Blessings to you.

[Omar]

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/orthodox-jewish-basketball-player-may-be-sidelined-over-modesty-spat-1.366815

Hey Pamela, one of your Jews girls is having the same problem. Should we tell her to fuck off too? Of course you won't talk about this because you are a hypocritical Zionist bitch.

[tanstaafl]

Maybe "she" is concealing "her" penis.

[Person of the Book]

marye: I'm just curious: did you think that my comment (right above yours) didn't contribute to the discussion? My desire was to contribute to the discussion with an intelligent take on the subject.

Here's why I said what I said: In certain parts of the country, Muslims who work in Target and Wal Mart as cashiers are refusing to touch pork products. They claim that this is against their religion, so they shouldn't be forced to do it. Target has actually put an additional cashier at those cash registers; the non-muslim cashier handles the pork, so that the Muslim doesn't have to touch it. My point was that only Muslims in certain cities are claiming that this is a religious obligation. On the other hand, lots more Muslims never complain about it. And Muslims who own gas stations are selling hot dogs (i.e. pork products) in their stores!

In other words, it sure looks like certain Muslims are making these demands only for the purpose of intimidating the rest of us in to stepping aside for them. If it really were a religious obligation for Muslims, then they ALL would be doing it.

And I have the exact same take on the Muslim woman weight lifter, who seems to be the only one making this demand.

Also, it seems that there is no other religion making similar demands; the members of other religions either put up with the requirements of the job, or they find other jobs.

I'd be interested in reading your response to what I have said.

[Person of the Book]

marye: I have no problem with a woman who chooses of her own free will to wear a head scarf. She can wear it 24/7 if she wants to. The problem I have is that I'm not at all convinced that Muslim women wear the headscarf of their own free will. I've heard too many stories of what happens to Muslim girls who decide to go without the head scarf (they get killed, beat up, etc., by the men in their lives).

If you were convinced that Muslim women in a given part of the world were forced to wear the head scarf, burka, or whatever, what would you think about it then?

[Muslims must adapt.]

Does she want to be a weightlifter in the international arena or a muslim woman in a rag cage? This is her choice and she should be forced to make it. No more changing the rules for the muslims. If they want to be in the modern world, they must join it, not reshape it to their primitive "religion."

[No Muslima slave]

Oh yay, an insane liberal nutjob who is helping destroy Western civilization. Marye, you are a complete nincompoop.

CAIR is a subversive criminal operation, and you are doped up on their propaganda.

[No Muslima slave]

Marye's right. Islam is a great religion - she will fit right in.

Marye, please start memorizing the Quran. Here's some good verses to begin with:

"God's curse be upon the infidels! Evil is that for which they have bartered away their souls. To deny God's own revelation, grudging that He should reveal His bounty to whom He chooses from among His servants! They have incurred God's most inexorable wrath. An ignominious punishment awaits the unbelievers." Quran 2:89-2:90

"Lord...Give us victory over the unbelievers." Quran 2:286

"Lord...give us victory over the unbelievers." Quran 3:148

"I shall cast terror into the hearts of the infidels. Strike off their heads, strike off the very tips of their fingers." Quran 8:12

"When the sacred months are over slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them, and lie in ambush everywhere for them." Quran 9:5

"Prophet, make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites and deal rigorously with them. Hell shall be their home: an evil fate." Quran 9:73

"Women are your fields: go, then, into your fields whence you please." Quran 2:223

"Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because God has guarded them. As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and forsake them in beds apart, and beat them." Quran 4:34

"A male shall inherit twice as much as a female." Quran 4:11

"Call in two male witnesses from among you, but if two men cannot be found, then one man and two women whom you judge fit to act as witnesses..." Quran 2:282

[Demsci]

No, no victims in this article, but it seemed to me you were defending Muslims and in so doing, perhaps inadvertently, implied that Islam is neutral or even beneficial.

In relation to: - ALL the US law (but it is contradicting these big time in important aspects) and the occurrence of crimes and oppression. Worldwide.

Again, vis-a-vis non-Muslims Muslims may well consider themselves a monolithic bloc, of 1,57 billion. Many of them assert this (brag about it) when it suits them and it is what Mohammed commanded them, so IN the Islam. This means in many places the NOT UNITED, but very divided non-Muslims are minorities in respect to Muslims. And in Islamic countries, co-religionists of those you defend oppress non-Muslims and women, well documented here. So WHO do you defend?

The question IMO is NOT about: - considering what is wrong in our opinion; violence, crimes, oppression in all it's forms - and then say that that is done by many, across all religions, which is true enough.

BUT the questions is to look at those wrong things and ask: what is Islam's influence on them; ameliorating, neutral or exacerbating. We think exacerbating, and we show it. You ignoring it won't make it go away. In view of our mountains of evidence, the burden of proof is on you.

And once you conclude that Islam has a bad influence, then you have the choice; Who do I defend first? A. The feelings of Muslims, against fear- and hate-mongering, and because of that inadvertently Islam? Or B. the victims of Islam, worldwide against occurrence of the mentioned bad things; violence, crimes, oppression etc. shown to be consequences of Islam itself?

And fear- and hate-mongering, is about: Accountable-holding of Muslims, Exposure of the deeds they are accountable for and Protest against that. In combination with exposure of the bad influence of the Islamic tenets and leaders.

Again, the choice is to ignore violence, crimes, oppression and holding the perpetrators and their enablers accountable and thus to abandone their victims or to spare the feelings of followers of a religion, or ideology, that stands accused.

Because in this complicated world, often you can't defend A AND B. If you only defend A, then you are bound to neglect and betray B. And ignorance should be no excuse.

[Demsci]

The US constitution does not say that everyone has the freedom to practice their faith, even if you or others disagree period, no questions asked. It is understood that that freedom is limited by other laws, against loyalty to enemies, intentions to replace some other US laws with foreign laws, and sedition in favor of the enemy.

Yes, the US constitution wants us to be tolerant to other faiths, a great improvement, for in the past there were atrocious religious wars. But it is not a suicide-pact and it does not require citizens to be tolerant to the intolerant.

So please make sure, Islam itself and Muslims themselves, are as tolerant as you are. And at the same time wholly at the tolerant side, against the intolerant side, too. Let us not be afraid to ask them about this and check their answer.

But the truth seems to be that the vast majority of Muslims care or dare not even to choose America over Islam, when the 2 have different laws, values and interests. Or perhaps, that the majority of Muslims in Democratic Nations make a very confused impression. And is that in the long run acceptable, excusable?

[Gleaner 1]

Very well put Kafir, if all mums reflected your robust outlook, the West would have fewer problems with muslims and islam. As a man and father, i find muslim womens dress deeply offensive because those that wear it think i, a western christian, am as untrustworthy and rapacious as thier fathers, brothers and uncles. All women and young girls are deserving of the kindest treatment, love and support, because they, in thier turn, become mothers of the next generation of young men, who hopefully will defend and shelter the weak and defenceless in thier turn. To ensure this desireable state of affairs comes about, islam HAS to be CONSTANTLY exposed, and ultimatly destroyed as the affiction on the soul of mankind that it most surley is.

[Gleaner 1]

Try your arguements on Dr Wafa Sultan, marye, when muslims tried kidnapping my daughter on holiday in Turkey, they made war on me, big mistake.

[Gleaner 1]

satya, islam is the propellant and muslims the warhead. If they are muslims they have to be unquestioning, or else. They are all free to think , but they choose not to.

[Eric]

Simple, she can compete against others in her class. Hijab wearing athletes need not fear competing against those who dress differently at all. They are free to hold their own competitions. There, now explain why after all these centuries this way of life has stagnated and remains effective at producing antisocial behavior as a bumper crop.

[Omar]

My point was that your hero Pamela is selective in her hate because she is a fascist pig. As far as Muslims having 4 wives, maybe you should worry about the Mormons in your country, who have 20+ wives, first. If you are going to criticize be fair, otherwise you are an asshole bigot.

[american]

Beautiful. I've never been able to put it into words, but there it is.

[tired of self-appointed scolds]

Don't have to "question why." If you don't know yourself, I have an educational site for you. It's called "thereligionofpeace." (Be sure to get the "the" in.) If you make it through a few pages without throwing up, you'll have a better understanding. If that's too much work, you could just read up on "sudden jihad syndrome" and watch a video of 9-11.

You dhimmis with your pacific "co-exist" BS are going to get us all killed or put into slavery. Some of us are getting really tired of self-elected protectors of the regime coming onto sites we use to stay updated with and scolding us as if we were stupid children.

Believe me, we know exactly why we think as we do. And if you DON'T question this totalitarian ideology, then you're the one who needs to examine yourself and ask yourself why you're defending a people who want you to submit or die.

[marye]

I suppose you could ask the Jewish woman above who chooses a bathing suit that breaks a religious requirement of hers. some choose it some do not. why would this be some sort of intimidation? Why wouldn't Wal-Mart just move them to a different position in the store?

[WAKE UP]

Never ceases to amaze me that the only way Muslims can be involved in anything modern is by dragging that modernity back to the stone age.

[Praapje]

I will not dismiss. It's good to have discussion about it. I simply don't understand your point of view about Islam and especially Shariah. I have no problems with muslims as long as they keep their religion to themselves or at least don't impose it on our society.

When muslims want to wear the hijab, that's fine, but don't FORCE it upon us and others, because that;s what is happening. All change comes slowly, step by step. When muslima's keep demanding to wear the hijab wherever they want (with the excuse that they otherwise can't join, please grow up) and that's forcing islam upon society. It's even worse: it explicitly makes a distinction between men and women (other than specifically men- and women clothing). It's not a trend in clothing, it's the forcing of an ideology upon all of us, namely: the woman belongs to her husband (only in front of her husband (and children) is she allowed to remove her scarf. The scarf hides the sexuality of the woman for the rest of the world so she becomes a sexual commodity. Women who wear the hijab will not tell you this or aren't even aware of it. Read: Bas les voiles! from Chadortt Djavann 2003.

So, if women want to wear the head scarf in their own time and in public spaces, that's okay by me (although I still think it is ridiculous), but whenit comes to specific places (especially government institutions as a work place) I urge everyone to oppose it. Simply because of the neutrality of our society and to protect women from submission (because that's what it is eventually all about).

[marye]

Used to live in Amish country.

[marye]

I just don't understand how someone wanting to wear something is forcing it on you. If I wear a skirt, does that mean everyone around me needs to wear a skirt?

[marye]

Totally agree that forcing a woman to wear it is wrong. This discussion began with this athlete. Seems to be a woman of her own mind.

[Praapje]

I hadn't read your comment on CAIR before I wrote my comment about the headscarf. Well, you astound me again. You say this site is biased and I cannot totally disagree with you. I see very seldom a positive note on Islam here, so if you want a more balanced view on islam, you must go somewhere else. But...WHAT is said about islam here is true. It may not paint the whole picture (I do believe many muslims practice their faith peacefully and are truly integrating), this takes not away the fact that many teachings within Islam are downright hateful. And that hhere are many muslims who wish our society harm (or at least want to overthrow our way of life). Now, to me , that seems the more important issue than to quabble about how great islam is.

Furthermore, I suggest you do some homework on CAIR. I recommend: Muslim Maffia by Paul Sterry. Makes very interesting reading for someone who thinks CAIR is doing the muslim community so much good.

Finally, you say you are Christian. Somehow I find that hard to believe after reading your comments. But if you are, I find you very ignorant, I'm sorry to say. I hope you will do some more research about what you are talking about.

[marye]

I'm not a chick (a derogatory, diminishing term of our own culture- we're pretty fond of putting women down here in our own way)- I am a woman. Muslims do not have to follow Sharia Law, and most open Arab countries oppose this Law.

[Praapje]

THe fact that muslim SEEM to get more resistence is simply because they are more persistent than others. And they force their religion upon society way more often than other groups. They are NOT treated differently than others and if so, it is due to their own behavior.

[marye]

I'm not a 'pacific', nor a pacifist, which is what I think you meant. I come from a family with military background, and honor my friends and family who serve, one who just came back from Afghanistan. I protect no regime, as I live in a democratic republic with laws that can't be overthrown like some fearful, hateful people seem to think it can. We vote, we keep accountable, it works even if its not perfect. I self elect myself to nothing, this is a public blog, is it not? We do all support the First Amendment, do we not? Or is it only for those whose opinion you want to hear?

[Praapje]

To be tolerant to the intolerant is just suicide in the end. I invite you to come over here in Europe and see if you like the changing of society in Marseiles, Paris, Londin, Malmo and Berlin. I admire Christians who are openminded and loving to their neighbors, but even more the ones who use their common sense.

Life isn't only kumbayaa and not all people have good intentions. It's nice and even wonderful to be able to trust people, but to be critical is also a good quality. Don't be too trust worthy of people you don't realy know. This tolerance and openmindedness are the weaknessess of our society.

["nuff already]

here, here...but in a society where the bar has been removed, or more accurate, is moved to suit each individual, such rational thinking will most likely not garner much support (big sigh)

But, in defense of the marine, a marine uniform at least is worn by those on the same team; donning of muslim garb however, is not quite so clear cut!

["nuff already]

Just curious, as a follower of Christ (I assume the Christian Jesus and not the Islamic Isa) how do you feel about the world-wide condemnation, rape, murder, etc. of Christians at the hands of muslims (not radical muslims but rather your plain old garden variety muslims)????????

[Demsci]

Marye:
"I can see this is a place where very little actual discussion goes on, simply a place for already decided opinions to be written, and backed up by half truths and fear mongering."

This is just your cop-out, your excuse. We see this pattern all the time between Islam-critics and Muslim-defenders. The latter almost always weasel out of real debates. They use debate-stoppers, like "hate-and-fear-mongering", "do not generalise", "do not tar all Muslims with the same brush", "do not polarise" etc. Sometimes one, like you, Marye, comes up with real arguments, but when the going get's tough, off she goes, with the excuse that "she sees there is little actual discussion going on, that we are prejudiced, that there is no "open heart" here", etc.

You should persevere, react to what you perceive as bad speech with good speech, not with this sort of mild censorship. Again, what you call hate&fear-mongering is only legitimate investigation-question, then exposure, then accountable-holding and protest. And it is in favor of, because of love for, international VICTIMS of Islam, now and potentially in the future.

Victims who suffer a lot more than just hurt feelings. Who you, with all your Christian love, ignore, abandon, betray. And Islam is not mysterious, neutral just because you want to defend the feelings of the lovable poor Muslims we all know.

But, you mean well, I believe that, so blessings to you too.

[LKS]

No one is telling her she can't wear whatever the hell she wants to in her personal life. But if she wants to compete in weightlifting, she should - just like everyone else - submit to the rules and authority of the weightlifting organization. To demand that they make an exception for her is ARROGANT and, if the org so acquiesces, sets a stupidly short-sighted precedent.

What if the next Muslim wants to wrestle in high school and wear the hajib? Is she going to be allowed to do that?

Sandy Koufax and Hank Greenberg faced some tough choices between their profession (major league baseball) and loyalty to their teammates versus their sense of duty and adherence to their religious beliefs (to play or not to play? on Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashana (see link below). Just like this Muslim faces a dilemma between pursuing her athletic endeavor and adhering to the tenets of her faith. BUT HERE'S THE DIFFERENCE (and it makes ALL the difference) - Koufax and Greenberg didn't demand that their sport change its rules or schedules to accommodate Koufax and Greenberg. While this Muslim woman is demanding that her sport organization change its rules to accommodate her personal belief. That is a stark contrast of humility and arrogance. The first is to be celebrated; the latter should be resisted and condemned.

Link http://espn.go.com/classic/s/merron_on_green.html

[Truthiocity]

But Islamic clothing for women is meant to keep men away from them. If she tells a man she's an olympic weight lifter, wouldn't that have the exact same effect?

And as far as pervos getting some kind of jollies from this, just look at the face she's making. Anyone who'd get romantic urges from that, a piece of cloth on your head ain't gonna stop him from being a sicko.

If she was a figure skater or gymnast she might have a point in regards to preserving her modesty but I doubt weight lifting and grunty faces is what dirty creeps look for in their olympic entertainment.

I am sure she is a fine lifter of things that are heavy, has a pleasant personality and I am sure the rest of her face other than that giant honking snufflupagus nose is very pretty when she isn't grunting like a constipated gerbil with anger managment problems, but I don't think she needs to worry about being too alluring while competing in this sport, or while standing still.

[Truthiocity]

Your critique doesn't apply. It would only apply If Ms. Gellar had posted an article in the Israeli girls defence or attacked the committe that prevented her from wearing the t-shirt while playing.

But you didn't cite where Ms Gellar posted such a story because you are a Gump and don't understand how people with normal IQs do all the magical things we do, such as create any aspect of civilization or use shoelaces. In fact shoelaces are probalby illegal in whichever pigshitistan you are hunt and pecking from. That pigshitistan being most likely Tower HAM-lets.

See, civilized people can hurl insults too. And we are better at it because we read beyond a 2nd grade level. I probably made you cry like the little girl you are married to and I didn't have to use a single swear word.

Oh sorry I did use one swear word. I should not have said Tower Hamlets. That was wrong of me. I will put a quarter in the swear jar.

[Truthiocity]

I get great ham and cheese sandwiches from an arab run deli around the corner that's been there for years and years. And there are a zillion arab owned delis in NYC and they all serve ham and cheese sandwiches and boarshead meats in general. Not that halal food-poisoning-on-a-stick crap.

This not handling non halal meat nonsense is definatly a strategized thing and not a hard and fast rule for all muslims to follow or they go to hell.

[Joe Camel]

Posh: she is no child; she is 35 years old.

[Truthiocity]

marye isn't an insane libral helping to destroy western civilization. "She" is a male CAIR operative posing as a woman in order to prevent people from responding harshly to his propoganda. Read the things "she" says about "herself" and the arguments "she" makes again. In "her" comments "she's" painting a picture of herself as someone we would be cruel to respond harshly to. Thus allowing her to spew the CAIR party line without having people attack her.

It's just like that line from the chapter of the Koran the GZM is named after. Variously translated as "They were not able to get revenge" or "they were not able to defend themselves" or "they were not able to respond". Constructing attacks and strategies in order to prevent responce is an aspect of islamic aggression.

That is because they know that unlike muslims, civilized people do not enjoy being nasty to women.

She presents herself as bing a woman, libral with family in afganistan while spewing out %100 CAIR party line. Trust me "she" is really a big sweaty hairy propogandist sitting in CAIR HQ.

[Truthiocity]

"Go ahead, dismiss me, I know you will..."

No I don't think we will. You are obviously a big hairy male operative of CAIR posing as a woman in the error that we won't respond to you as harshly is if you were admitting to be male.

Just like that line in the chapter the GZM is named after, variously translated as "they could not respond" "they could not defend themselves" or "they could not get revenge".

Like islamic aggression, islamic propganda directed against enemies is also often crafted in such a way as to prevent responce or defence. That is why so many CAIR/Muslim Brotherhood operatives pose as women when they spew their propoganda in online comments.

[Truthiocity]

Oh and you didn't even find that story and link yourself. It was posted by someone else here and you just stole it and used it yourself. Just like the islamic theft of the number Zero and Algebra from non muslims.

See what happens when you insult people who read gooder then you?

[Truthiocity]

"and honor my friends and family who serve, one who just came back from Afghanistan."

I note that you didn't say which side they were serving on. You paint a very odd picture of yourself. It's almost as if it was perfectly designed to prevent people from responding harshly to you, yet still remaining very veague.

"I live in a democratic republic with laws that can't be overthrown like some fearful, hateful people seem to think it can."

Interesting how that could be just about anywhere. Very Very veague. Almost as if you intend people to project any country from their imaginations into that sentence, or just make them question and wonder...

That is a very common propoganda (and advertising) technique to soften the suckers up before the propoganda is delivered.

I don't believe for a second that you are a woman or a christian as you say.

However I do believe it when you say you know people who fought in Afganistan...

[cooldude9366]

Recall that the conference will be held in Penang, Malaysia. A once liberal Islamic country, but increasingly being taken over by the hard-liners. No doubt the RPO (religion of perpetual outrage) will stage daily demonstrations and likely threaten the delegates, should they have the temerity to come up with the "wrong" decision. It will be especially interesting if the discussions are held over a Friday, when the mullahs will have had a chance to whip the crowds into a frenzy.

[Jan]

There is no equivalency here. The IWF rules have a specific purpose - that of judging whether a competitor has completed a lift correctly. Not at all the same as someone wanting to wear a uniform to a social event.

[Jan]

And I would also imagine, if the IWF have the *temerity* to deny her, that CAIR will pull out all the stops, suing the IWF amidst a torrent of abuse - racist, bigot, islamophobe, etc. etc.

[marye]

Oh please- this is the kind of paranoia that I'm talking about.
My grandfather was in the US Army, WW 2. My father in the US Air Force, in Vietnam. My uncle in the Navy.
I work in Christian ministry, one of my dearest students just came back from his second tour as a Captain in the US Army with a Bronze Star.
My democratic republic with laws and checks and balances is the US of course- how ridiculous of you.
Believe what you want about my gender, read my later post where I pray for soft hearts for the people on this site - my savior knows me, that's what matters.
You're so suspicious and paranoid, distrustful of anyone who is different in anyway. What a way to live. I try my best to follow Jesus, trying to teach truth and peace and love my neighbor. God will judge, not me. Go ahead, tell me I'm nieve, I know you will.

[marye]

Of course its awful and we should do what we can to protect people. Christians are persecuted by people of all types in all places. Jesus said we would be. (By the way, why would I follow the Islamic Jesus, they believe him only to be a prophet- I follow the Son of God). We should do what we can to protect people who are raped, murdered, etc, no matter where they come from, including the many girls of all faiths who are trafficked for sex right in our own country. How about just being against those things, against all perpetrators where ever and who ever they might be, and working for justice for everyone, whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist or something else?

[marye]

wow. see above. such a thing would never occur to me. wow.

[marye]

again, wow.

[gsw]

Of course you have the same right to state what you believe! That is what we all want.
We are actually with you, as far as Irish, German, French Canadian, Italians ... etc are concerned. But how many Irish police have you met, who sued their bosses for not letting them wear a green/Irish uniform?

Saying that KKK do it and get no harassment is wrong, they do get harassment, and people being rude to them and about them - but they do not call it hate speech and sue.
If the KKK sued the USA Weightlifting because they were not allowed to wear their robes while lifting, I would agree that your comment was relevant, as it is, you are just whining "they do it too".

Last point, we are NOT angry with muslims, we are angry with CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood and other islamic, political groups who are trying to change a democracy into a theocracy by using a form of Chinese water torture - a drop at a time.

As for dismissing you, no, we need educated, emancipated women, willing to stand up for what they believe in, and not likely to be swayed by lies. Read, talk, learn, keep your eyes & ears open and remember that any comparisons you may hear about "how advanced Muhammeds ideas about women were" are based on 7th. century desert tribes - not 21st. New York.

[funkybarfly]

I'm still waiting for the first modestly attired gymnast.

[Spirit Of 1683]

Unlike Jesus, Mohammed didn't urge his followers to teach truth and peace and to love thy neighbour. He taught his followers to put to the sword any infidel they came up against. Muslim clerics and ayatollahs promise virgins in the afterlife to those who murder kafirs in cold blood, just as Mohammed did. According to Muslims, Jews are the sons of apes and pigs. Unlike Jesus, Mohammed was a mass murderer, paedophile (He had a six year old wife Aisha when he was 51), robber, debaucher who took part in 78 battles and razzias in the last nine years of his life. Over 300 million non-Muslim have been murdered over the centuries simply for not wanting to be Muslims, and for much ofd that time they were limited to that total only by the limitations of their weaponry, much smaller global population, and the ability of Westerners to eventually fight back. You have so much to learn about Islam, and I suggest you get a good non-PC history book thats at least 60 years old, so it hasn't been poisoned by the multiculturalist mush that you spout.

[Spirit Of 1683]

Yep, they fought for the other side.

[jay martin]

How ridiculous! Check out on youtube "the third jihad" documentary to learn more about what this is- "SOFT" JIHAD - AKA CULTURAL JIHAD. THIS is becoming the norm everywhere in America, and until out "leaders" step up and grow a backbone, these muslim jihadists will walk all over our culture! Remember, jihad does not have to be violent- they are taught that jihad, for the more passive aggressive muslim can go by way of infiltrating culture and that's what they're doing now. they've done it for thousands of years so have had plenty of time to perfect it.