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Let the Women Play

Olympic official Nawal El Moutawakel (Frank Franklin Ii - Associated Press)

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Saudi women are fighting back. A few days before the Beijing Games opened, Saudi women's rights activist Wajeha al-Huwaider posted a video on YouTube protesting the ban on women's sports in her country. Others are directly challenging the ban by playing soccer and basketball without permission and learning to ride horses. Determined to be recognized, they are risking state anger and punishment.

Religious authorities banned an all-women's marathon and soccer match, but the Jeddah United women's basketball team makes public appearances as part of its fight against such bans.

The Jeddah United players have a natural ally in Moroccan Olympic gold medalist Nawal El Moutawakel, who this week became the first Muslim woman elected to the International Olympic Committee's executive board. In 1984, Moutawakel became the first woman from a Muslim-majority country to win a gold medal.

She must tell Saudi Arabia that it's time to have women on the team -- and time for the Olympic board to insist that Saudi Arabia abide by the IOC charter, which bans discrimination of any kind.

Mona Eltahawy, a New York-based commentator, writes and lectures on Arab and Muslim issues. Her e-mail address isinfo@monaeltahawy.com.

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