Female Chess players required to wear Hijabs in Iran

[Boges]

Is this the type of tolerance we are striving for in Canada?

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/world/female-chess-players-threaten-boycott-after-being-told-to-wear-hijabs-at-world-championship-in-iran

The world’s top female chess players reacted with horror Thursday after being told they must compete at next year’s world championship wearing a hijab.

Within hours of Iran being announced as the host country, the event was plunged into crisis as it emerged that players taking part face arrest if they do not cover up.

Grandmasters lined up to say they would boycott the 64-player tournament and accused FIDE, the game’s scandal-hit governing body, of failing to stand up for women’s rights.

FIDE officials, meanwhile, called on participants to respect “cultural differences” and accept the regulations.

Hijabs have been mandatory for women in Iran since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and the law is enforced by the country’s “morality police.”

Should the women just suck it up and accept another nations customs and laws or is this an outrageous request?

I think people are naive to believe that women that do wear the Hijab in the west do so because they want to and not because they are forced to by misogynistic cultural practices.

[DogOnPorch]

It's obvious that women shouldn't be playing such male games.

[msj]

Well, St. Ambrose did say "When I am in Rome I fast on a Saturday, when I am in Milan I do not...." [or you may know this as "when in Rome, do as the Romans."]

Don't like Iran's customs then easy - don't go to the country.

I would love to go to Iran to see all that history/archaeology but for various reasons, including my dislike over things like this, I am waiting.

So, meh.

[DogOnPorch]

I'm sure we could crowd fund your relocation to Iran.

Bring your veil.

[Boges]

Well, St. Ambrose did say "When I am in Rome I fast on a Saturday, when I am in Milan I do not...." [or you may know this as "when in Rome, do as the Romans."]

Don't like Iran's customs then easy - don't go to the country.

I would love to go to Iran to see all that history/archaeology but for various reasons, including my dislike over things like this, I am waiting.

So, meh.

So you work hard to become a World Class Chess player and in order to realize a dream of playing in a World Championship you have to wear a headscarf? It has nothing to do with playing chess.

That's pretty discriminatory. Boycotting isn't good enough. The governing body should reverse their decision and not hold the championship in Iran.

Edited September 30, 2016 by Boges

[msj]

I'm sure we could crowd fund your relocation to Iran.

Bring your veil.

Awfully nice of you to suggest!

I will take you up for that. Maybe you can scrape up enough money to send my wife and myself there for a month.

Alas, it is Cambodia us this year, probably India/Sri Lanka next year.

But I'm willing to go to Iran next year if you pay for it.

My wife is willing to suffer wearing ninja pj's to see Shiraz.

[Bonam]

That's pretty discriminatory. Boycotting isn't good enough. The governing body should reverse their decision and not hold the championship in Iran.

If most of the competitors boycott it then chances are they'd have to relocate. All up to the individual competitors, now.

[msj]

So you work hard to become a World Class Chess player and in order to realize a dream of playing in a World Championship you have to wear a headscarf? It has nothing to do with playing chess.

That's pretty discriminatory. Boycotting isn't good enough. The governing body should reverse their decision and not hold the championship in Iran.

They should take it up with their association for choosing to go to a country that insists on this.

Either go and wear the ninja pj's or don't and make political hay out of it.

Everyone has a choice and it is hardly the end of the world to put on the outfit nor to boycott.

I know it's hard to understand that choices have consequences and all but the consequences here are pretty small potato.

So, yeah, meh.

[msj]

If most of the competitors boycott it then chances are they'd have to relocate. All up to the individual competitors, now.

Exactly.

But can socially awkward geniuses be herded?

[Guest]

They can't hold it in France. The Iranian payers would have to take theirs off.

[DogOnPorch]

lol...roger that!

[Boges]

They should take it up with their association for choosing to go to a country that insists on this.

Either go and wear the ninja pj's or don't and make political hay out of it.

Everyone has a choice and it is hardly the end of the world to put on the outfit nor to boycott.

I know it's hard to understand that choices have consequences and all but the consequences here are pretty small potato.

So, yeah, meh.

But you fail to recognize that the choice being asked is discriminatory. Attire isn't part of playing Chess. I hope many players do boycott and embarrass the governing body.

But if they do, will accusations of Islamophobia follow?

[msj]

But you fail to recognize that the choice being asked is discriminatory. Attire isn't part of playing Chess. I hope many players do boycott and embarrass the governing body.

But if they do, will accusations of Islamophobia follow?

I don't fail to see it.

I just say that there is not much that can be done about it other than:

1) Blast the association for their stupidity for picking Iran in the first place.

2) Herd socially awkward geniuses (SAG) to lobby/boycott for a different location.

3) Herd SAG's to create a new association.

4) Choose to go to Iran - perhaps some of the men could sarcastically wear ninja pj's too? Maybe some of the women could do what some Iranian women already do and get their picture taken without the ninja pj's on while in Iran and put it up on social media? There are lots of things a politically astute (yet SAG) could do to have fun with this while making a political statement. Etc etc

5) Recognize that it is not the end of the world to follow the customs of a foreign country in such a minor way.

As for accusations of Islamophobia - I am sure people like Argus will come on this forum and accuse progressives of saying just this.

He may even be able to find a few idiots that would actually say this and are otherwise progressive.

But, as usual, most people just go "meh" and "when in Rome...."

Edited September 30, 2016 by msj

[Guest]

But you fail to recognize that the choice being asked is discriminatory. Attire isn't part of playing Chess. I hope many players do boycott and embarrass the governing body.

But if they do, will accusations of Islamophobia follow?

I would hope not. It does seem odd that accusations of Islamophobia would follow both refusing to allow women to wear a hijab, and refusing to allow women to not wear a hijab. Especially if one is against both. Edited September 30, 2016 by bcsapper

[msj]

They can't hold it in France. The Iranian payers would have to take theirs off.

Yes, a country like Canada would be a good place for these SAG's since they could wear whatever and nobody would care.

[Boges]

But, as usual, most people just go "meh" and "when in Rome...."

This wouldn't be news if that was the case however.

[msj]

This wouldn't be news if that was the case however.

Other than making the papers and being discussed here I doubt very much the story has legs.

[Boges]

Other than making the papers and being discussed here I doubt very much the story has legs.

Or it does, we have no evidence either way yet.

The story opens up the debate about whether forcing people to wear hijabs is a reasonable accommodation or is refusing to wear one bigoted. But you could just say meh at the end of each post.

Edited September 30, 2016 by Boges

[Guest]

Forcing people to wear one is the same as preventing someone from wearing one.

[dialamah]

.

Should the women just suck it up and accept another nations customs and laws or is this an outrageous request?

If it were truly a choice and not legally imposed, I wouldn't care. I don't support the State determining what is acceptable garb. I think people should be able to go nude if they want, but both legally and through social pressure, most people wear at least some clothes.

I think people are naive to believe that women that do wear the Hijab in the west do so because they want to and not because they are forced to by misogynistic cultural practices.

I think people who can't differentiate between state-imposed dress and personal relationships are kinda clueless.

But as to family and cultural pressure, plenty of women in Canada dress a certain way because their parents/husband/Church require it. Those situations are no less misogynistic than that experienced by a woman wearing a hijab because her family/religion requires her to. People only object to the hijab/niqab because it's more obvious than the Christian or Jewish women wearing below-knee skirts, and high necklines; who avoid sleeveless outfits and pants because they aren't proper modest, female apparel. How many of you anti-misogny warriors have ever questioned a woman's Christian apparel and assumed she's only wearing it because she is forced? Would "never" be close?

[Guest]

If it were truly a choice and not legally imposed, I wouldn't care. I don't support the State determining what is acceptable garb. I think people should be able to go nude if they want, but both legally and through social pressure, most people wear at least some clothes.

I think people who can't differentiate between state-imposed dress and personal relationships are kinda clueless.

But as to family and cultural pressure, plenty of women in Canada dress a certain way because their parents/husband/Church require it. Those situations are no less misogynistic than that experienced by a woman wearing a hijab because her family/religion requires her to. People only object to the hijab/niqab because it's more obvious than the Christian or Jewish women wearing below-knee skirts, and high necklines; who avoid sleeveless outfits and pants because they aren't proper modest, female apparel. How many of you anti-misogny warriors have ever questioned a woman's Christian apparel and assumed she's only wearing it because she is forced? Would "never" be close?

That's why you have to believe people. They don't always tell the truth, but who the hell are we?

Edited September 30, 2016 by bcsapper

[Boges]

But as to family and cultural pressure, plenty of women in Canada dress a certain way because their parents/husband/Church require it. Those situations are no less misogynistic than that experienced by a woman wearing a hijab because her family/religion requires her to. People only object to the hijab/niqab because it's more obvious than the Christian or Jewish women wearing below-knee skirts, and high necklines; who avoid sleeveless outfits and pants because they aren't proper modest, female apparel. How many of you anti-misogny warriors have ever questioned a woman's Christian apparel and assumed she's only wearing it because she is forced? Would "never" be close?

Ahhh a deflection again. And you're right, it's not so obvious so no one would know. And I would be equally as appalled at a Christian church that mandates dress outside of a place of worship. I attend a church that has no such restriction.

[dialamah]

Ahhh a deflection again. And you're right, it's not so obvious so no one would know. And I would be equally as appalled at a Christian church that mandates dress outside of a place of worship. I attend a church that has no such restriction.

Is there mandated dress inside your church? Some Churches do have expectations for out in the world as well. If you flout them, someone will remind you of your responsibility to demonstrate your faith and obedience through your apparel.

Anyway, the lack of legal choice is what I most strongly oppose. I also oppose societal/religious pressure on women to defer to men, but that's harder to identify and address. Most often, such women support their own oppression and don't realize it. They're just being good Christians, Muslims, daughters, wives and mothers.

[msj]

The story opens up the debate about whether forcing people to wear hijabs is a reasonable accommodation or is refusing to wear one bigoted. But you could just say meh at the end of each post.

Or I could say when in Iran do as they do.

Or when in a mosque do as they do.

You can choose to not go to Iran or that mosque.

It is hardly an imposition to wear ninja pj's, imo.

Sure, I don't like it, but it is just not a big deal as a visitor.

Yes, I do think it is stupid for Iran to force people to wear this and for countries like France to force people not to wear that.

I hope Iranian women are successful some day to get back to that time when they can wear whatever they want.

I hope the same thing for people in France too.

As long as Canada does not go down this crazy road of the state forcing people to wear/not-wear clothes it really does not matter much.

[dialamah]

Forcing people to wear one is the same as preventing someone from wearing one.

'Zactly.