The Olympics began this week in London, while Michele Bachmann made inflammatory remarks and shelling continues in Syria.
“The reason we won the games was because London was diverse, it’s where the world is represented,” head of the Manchester-based Ramadan Foundation Mohammed Shafiq said.
Despite that diversity, issues arose this week, including showing the North Korean flag instead of the South Korean flag and announcing incorrect regions for athletes.
One controversy may affect a Saudi woman’s ability to compete. Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani was told headscarves were banned in her event, judo, for safety reasons.
Shahrkhani, along with distance runner Sarah Attar, are the first women to represent Saudi Arabia in the Olympic games.
The International Judo Federation ruled against the headscarf in the Olympics, but has allowed them in the past.
Read More:
On World Stage, Olympic Clashes Inevitable (ABC News)Saudi Women Walk Very Different Paths To Become Muslim Country’s 1st Female Olympians (Washington Post)
Representative Michele Bachmann accused Hilary Clinton aide Huma Abedin of having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, and raised questions about the State Department’s connection to her.
Republicans immediately denounced Bachmann’s accusations, including House Speaker John Boehner, who said although he didn’t personally know Abedin, he praised her character.
Not all Republicans shared Boehner’s sentiment — Texas Representative Louie Gohmert accused the media of not doing enough to dig into the story.
More than 40 religious groups denounced the accusations in a letter, stating, “[W]e take offense to the implications of your actions for the American Muslim community as a whole, as you give momentum to ‘guilt by association’ accusations and betray our foundational religious freedoms.”
Read More:
Boehner adds to criticism of Bachmann’s remarks (MPR)Religious, secular groups decry Bachmann’s Muslim Brotherhood accusations (MPR)Rep. Gohmert pleads for media investigation into Muslim Brotherhood influence (Politico)
Syrian rebels prepared in the commercial hub of Aleppo following attacks that left 48 dead in the city and 46 dead in Damascus and surrounding suburbs.
Rebel fighters in Aleppo include those who have defected from the Syrian military and ordinary citizens who are trying to end Bashar Al-Assad’s rule.
Syrian forces are fighting back against the rebels, with the U.S. fearing a “massacre.”
The U.S. will not intervene, state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.
Read More:
Syrian rebels amass as battles for Aleppo, Damascus intensify (CNN)Syria army fires on Aleppo rebels as US fears massacre (BBC)
For more Muslim Voices updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!
Liz Leslie is a journalist based in Bloomington, Indiana. As an associate Web producer for WFIU, Liz maintains the Muslim Voices Twitter and Facebook as well as writes for the blog. She also contributes to Earth Eats.
More posts by this author »
View the original article here
