Jordan's female boxers fight hijab ban

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August 7, 2012

Posted: 1046 GMT

In Amman, Jordan, our team met the women of Jordan's national boxing team, the first female boxers in the Middle East. Nineteen-year-old Baraa Al-Absi is hoping her tenacity in the ring will lead to fighting on a bigger stage, like the Olympic Games. Except for one thing – Al-Absi is not technically allowed to box while wearing her headscarf, or hijab. Like many Muslims, Al-Absi wears the hijab for religious reasons. She’s not willing to take it off for anyone – even if it means quitting her team.

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Posted by: Jon Jensen
Filed under: Culture •Inside The Middle East •Jordan •Palestinians •Women

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Jordanian		August 8th, 2012 8:07 am ET this is stupid were is your team spirit ??? just take it off!!!

sharif		August 17th, 2012 8:58 pm ET Careful ladies! It is much harder for us to control you if we can't force you to be covered all the time.

warsteiner		August 19th, 2012 12:44 pm ET What about a head gear! could head gear be modified to accomplish the same goal. They should be allowed to wear religious attire. Its the same thing as bringing your prayers to god in the ring with you. She needs this for confidence so taking it away is not fair.

SHe is a		September 1st, 2012 11:44 pm ET Mind slave.

Media Courses		September 3rd, 2012 7:45 am ET Every one has the right to do be it men or be it women for thier rights.Its a very shameful to say that Jordan is following a very inhumanistic nature for its female boxer that must be pretended and unfollowed. http://www.fame.ac.in/

Roelof		September 3rd, 2012 5:57 pm ET Muslims men are such perverts, children, goats, camels, she can't risk anything.

JohnathanA		September 7th, 2012 4:04 pm ET If you join a sport, you should abide by the rules of that sport. Being muslim or Catholic or Hindu should not make any difference.

icon downloads		September 20th, 2012 5:33 am ET I am very grateful to you for the information. It very much was useful to me. P.S. Please review Reply Icon from email-icon-set

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