Do Muslims watch women's sports?

August 23, 2008 10:30 AM

Do they show women's Olympics competitions in conservative Muslim countries?

I mean, I've been watching the track & field and the gymnastics and all, and I know that many conservative, Muslim-dominant countries don't even let women participate in the sport. But I've been wondering how Arab eyes in particular must see all those nearly nekkid women (with the one Arab exception I saw on the track) running around in their "underwear." Do they even air those competitions in those countries? Is their controversy about it? Or is the fact that those women are "infidels" anyway negate the offensiveness of their booties hanging out?

posted by RedEmma to society & culture (3 comments total)

Slate, explainer: Beach Volleyball in Iran?How do conservative countries handle scantily clad Olympic athletes?

Summary:

yes, as long as they aren't wearing leotards or swimwear.
posted by jenkinsEar at 10:36 AM on August 23, 2008

As I understand it, many of the popular broadcasters in the middle east (e.g. Al Jazeera) are free-to-air satellite stations, so the audience's local authorities don't have any control over their content.
posted by winston at 12:20 PM on August 23, 2008

It's being shown on local channels here in Dubai, though I don't think it really qualifies as "conservative"
posted by atrazine at 1:51 AM on August 24, 2008