OpinionInside Incheon: Basketball hijab row could have been resolved through common sense
Qatar, Fiba and OCA should have discussed the issue long before it came to a head at the Asian Games
The hijab row is ridiculous and has nothing to do with religious freedom. A lack of common sense prevails and it is a shame it has put the Asian Games in a bad light.
The Qatar women's basketball team refused to remove the Islamic head scarf before they played Mongolia. Games organisers said they had to stick by rules laid down by the International Basketball Federation (Fiba), which bans headgear. The result was a walkout by Qatar.
Everyone knew Fiba had declared players could not wear headgear, hair accessories and jewellery. Where does religion come into this, as some people imply?
The hijab does not give a player an advantage on the field or on court. If at all, it might be an impediment
The widespread knee-jerk response, including from the Qataris, is that this is an attack against Islam. One player said the team had decided to send a strong message to Fiba.
"We knew about the hijab ban, but we have to be here. We have to take this stand," said Ahlam Salem al-Mana.
What on earth is she talking about? The world governing body does not have a ban on the hijab; it only says players cannot wear headgear. Why is Qatar trying to make a mountain out of a molehill?
All other governing bodies allow the hijab. The Jordanian women's soccer team have players wearing the scarf. Fifa had outlawed it over safety concerns but after medical reports showed the contrary, the governing body of world football lifted the ban.