KUWAIT CITY, March 20: Islamist lawmakers seem to abhor anything related to women, including their participation in sports competitions, reports Al-Rai daily quoting liberal political activist Ahmad Al-Essa.
Stressing that women’s participation in sports is an issue related to behavior and culture, Al-Essa lamented Islamists are against women as they exhibit a certain level of hostility every time they discuss women’s issues, such as employment, political rights and sports. He cited as a case in point the participation of Kuwaiti women football team in a tournament in Dubai. He argued the team members joined the tournament on their own and after asking permission from their parents.
In his interview with Al-Rai TV Thursday, Al-Essa asserted, “We live in an open society. There is no problem with the outfit of the Kuwaiti women football team members. Islamists have so far not included in their agenda anything valuable to the people, who are intimidated when a religious statement precedes a legal stand.”

Condemning the Islamists for attacking the participation of women in sports competitions, Al-Essa stated the Gulf women athletic championship took place last year but the Islamists had never commented on this event, maybe because one of the participants is a ruling family member.
“Kuwait is a civil country governed by the Constitution and law.  Everybody has right to express their opinion on various issues,” Al-Essa concluded.
On the other hand, head of the Political Office of Salafist Movement Fuhaid Al-Helam has refuted allegations that the Islamists are against the participation of women in sports competitions due to the questions forwarded by the Islamist lawmakers to Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr Mohammad Al-Afasi concerning women and sports.
Al-Helam clarified the Islamists are not against the participation of women in sports competitions, but only the lack of commitment to Islamic standards and negligence of Kuwaiti customs while engaging in sports activities. He pointed out the Islamists suggested the establishment of sports clubs for women in different governorates provided these clubs abide by the traditions and customs of Kuwait.