RECENTLY, the participation of two Muslim girls in the diving sport at the 2024 SUKMA Games became a point of contention, especially for Terengganu youth and sports executive councillor Hishamuddin Abdul Karim.
To recap, Hishamuddin stated that the Terengganu Sports Council’s position is that no female Muslim athletes can represent the state in diving.
This is because the required attire does not comply with the state’s dress code for Muslim athletes.
He added that he has requested the Terengganu Sports Council to prepare a detailed report on the situation and plans to call the association in for an explanation once they return from SUKMA.
In reply, lawyer and political activist Siti Kasim gave a seven-worded statement complete with selected emojis on Facebook to state her vehement objection towards the policing of women’s clothing.
The post has since raised quite a firestorm on cyberspace with over 146 comments, the majority being supportive towards the two Muslim divers.
According to Daniel Law, efforts should be focused towards bigger problems instead of something as minor as dress codes.
Another netizen voiced his disappointment at the state exco’s action, stating that these individuals should be celebrated for their victory instead of being condemned or punished.
One netizen suggested that religious enforcement should move in tandem with human rights.
Choong Foo Peng is of the opinion that sports should be viewed in a noble light, with the spirit of healthy competition being the central theme.
He also made a strong point regarding human psychology, that people will find what they are looking for.
Perhaps the female divers’ outfit was not the problem all along and more with the mindset of the people who viewed it.
Religion has always been a sticky topic where our nation is concerned, perhaps more so in the states along the east coast.
To recap, in 2018, Terengganu mandated that state athletes wear shariah-compliant clothing for both local and international sports events.
Four years later, the state prohibited women from participating in gymnastics due to non-shariah-compliant attire.
This has led several Muslim female gymnasts from Terengganu to retire from the sport. – Aug 26, 2024
Main image: freemalaysiatoday
