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Volleyball and beach volleyball respectful of Muslim traditions : a
priority for the FIABVB (Montreux, 3rd August 2006) – Important international sports federations have never cared about sports and development being respectful of various beliefs. Thus, according to the Muslim conception, the participation of female athletes has always been the origin of problems and controversies not only for the Olympic Games but also for the Federations themselves. On the contrary, the FIABVB is willing to promote a very different politics based on the democratic dialogue and the innovation and in full agreement with any and all States and national organisations which would like to join us either as members or as observers entitled to take part in our works. Our sports aims are very much like yours. If we are to read the famous Koranic verse related to the preparations to war: “Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered , that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy , and others beside them whom ye know not . Allah knoweth them. Whatsoever ye spend in the way of Allah it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged (8:60).” Recently, an Egyptian referred to this verse in his Ph.D. in law; he concluded by saying that sports can serve to strengthen people and that, consequently, it must be considered as a compulsory practice instructed by God. But above all, they are stories by Mahomet to which Islam refers for its politics in sports and which encourage you to promote sports with us. Mahomet is also believed to have said that :”The real strength is to practice archery”, “Allah prefers a strong believer than a weak believer”, “Teach your children how to swim and to practice archery and train them to get to the back of the horse while jumping”. This explains why no classic Islamic author ever objected to the practise of sports. On the contrary, under Muslim law sports can serve to “raise the word of Allah”. In conformity with the religious beliefs of everyone, the future Rules of the FIABVB shall also comply with the Olympic ideal. Referring to Rule 3.2 of the Olympic Charter, any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement. Clearly speaking, our aim is to promote the female representation in our sports while complying with the Muslim ethical rules, i.e. competitions for female athletes only, clothing specifications, provisions ruling the promiscuity between men and women, consideration of the Ramadan fast while preparing our calendars. We are willing to raise all these issues and discuss them with any interested Arabic-Muslim country. The FIABVB has several priorities. One of them is the promotion of regional competitions complying with the needs of its member States, the promotion of its sports in schools and universities, the exchange of technical capacities and know-how and the selective support to local projects. For any additional information: www.fiabvb.org For any contact, please write to: info@fiabvb.org |