Saudi women face gyms ban

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Action taken to shut down unlicensed, all-women fitness clubs, condemned as 'shameless' by Saudi Arabia's clerics

Saudi women could see their private sports clubs and gyms closed down because the government seems likely to agree licensing of the clubs for men only.

...

Saudi Arabia's austere brand of Wahhabi Islam forbids the mixing of unrelated members of the opposite sex. In the ยญpresence of strange men, women must remain covered.

The problem that has emerged in recent months is that women's gyms are unlicensed and so illegal. Female fitness fans complain of a lack of places to exercise outside the home since they cannot use men's clubs.

The general presidency for sport and youth welfare is responsible for men's gyms but it has not been allowed or prepared to regulate those for women.

Businessman Bader Al-Shibani wanted to open a women's sports club along with the one he runs for men in Jeddah. "I ran into a stone wall at every turn," he said. "Every department I visited denied that they had the authority to give permission to establish a women's club. In the end, I just abandoned the project."

Action has already been taken against two women's gyms, in Jeddah and in Dammam, according to al-Madinah newspaper. Clubs in Riyadh have so far been spared.

This month a group of Saudi women launched a campaign entitled Let Her Get Fat, in opposition to a decision to close down all-female wellness centres that are not under the supervision of a government hospital or clinic.

Leading Saudi clerics have condemned the gyms and clubs as "shamelessness" and warned that women would be tempted to leave their homes and neglect their husbands and children...

Read more @ The Guardian

Forum

101 comments

Hajjar Tue, 11 Aug 2009 - 10:11

Beauty is not confined to one ethnic background. It doesn't take a genius to know beauty is a very subjective thing. Allah has created variety in all His creation and in this there is beauty to be appreciated by everyone depending on their individual taste.

I think you were implying saudi women are superficial and devoid of a personality because they are known for wearing extensive make up. But that is a false assertion. Just as there are those who wear make up there are many who do not. Also for every Saudi wearing make up, sorry to burst your bubble there are Pakistani women to match that ( and other ethnic backgrounds of course). You cannot take make up alone as a basis for judging someones personality, it's pretty shallow thing to do. Yes it can reveal something about an individual but it hardly highlights their entire personality.

Omrow Tue, 11 Aug 2009 - 15:43

Anonymous88

omrow - i've come to appreciate your deliberate-controversial stance, but your comments in this thread have been of severely ill-taste.

So which is it then?

Were the comments also deliberately controversial or not?

Before I consider your reaction, you've got to first tell us that.

Omrow Tue, 11 Aug 2009 - 15:51

Hajjar

I think you were implying saudi women are superficial and devoid of a personality because they are known for wearing extensive make up.

But that is a false assertion.

Just as there are those who wear make up there are many who do not.

Also for every Saudi wearing make up, sorry to burst your bubble there are Pakistani women to match that ( and other ethnic backgrounds of course).

You cannot take make up alone as a basis for judging someones personality, it's pretty shallow thing to do. Yes it can reveal something about an individual but it hardly highlights their entire personality.

I am not saying that they are ugly BECAUSE they wear makeup.

No.

Think about it:

They wear make up to LESSEN THE SHOCK of their ugliness.

I know of many pretty women who wear makeup. But they do so to enhance their beauty.

But Saudis do so to hide themselves.

Why do they even bother.

I think a simple cloth [nekab] would have done the job.

Why waste money?

Who are they trying to fool.

You Tue, 11 Aug 2009 - 16:52

Come on Omrow, that is wrong.

What you mean to say is that you find them ugly. Otherwise, humans/mankind has also been created in the best of forms according to a verse the Qur'an.

Omrow Thu, 13 Aug 2009 - 11:25

Edit.

Boss, you have introduced a new controversial issue.

I think we should talk about this issue in a new thread?

Therefore, one request to YOU Boss:

Since this thread has changed from its original topic, would you mind creating a new thread and shifting the ugly material there from page 1.

There, we can talk about the beauty of the British females and good looks of Paki ladies.

We shall also address there whether ugliness in some foreign lands in accidental or Designed by the Divine.

You Thu, 13 Aug 2009 - 13:23

OmrowTherefore, one request to YOU Boss:

Since this thread has changed from its original topic, would you mind creating a new thread and shifting the ugly material there from page 1.

I just remembered that I stopped being the forum police over a year ago.

Omrow Thu, 27 Aug 2009 - 12:59

You

Come on Omrow, that is wrong.

What you mean to say is that you find them ugly.

Otherwise, humans/mankind has also been created in the best of forms according to a verse the Qur'an.

Then why does God create handicapped and disabled babies?

If God can make retards, then, creating ugly Saudi women is not a major issue.

Therefore, its not just that I personally see Arab women as ugly.

No. Its not a matter of taste.

Saudi girls are made mingers.

Just as some kids are born with disability.

Hajjar Wed, 26 Aug 2009 - 17:25

assalamu alaikum]

That's the most disgusting thing you've ever said. I hope you never end up with a disabled child, Allah gives what He wills to whom ever He wishes. Disabled or able bodied, disfigured or not as muslims we are not supposed to abort, or look upon that child as a disgusting thing that should never have been born.

your comment clearly reflects your disdain not just for anyone who does not fit your criteria of "beauty" but also your disdain for ppl who are for what ever reason Allah knows best born with a disability that makes life a big enough challenge from day one, then they have bullies like you to contend with too.

I have a cousin who has Progeria go look it up, sit back and laugh if you wish,. It is a very rare condition, he may look like a teen but he is beyond his years and extremely intelligent. He can intellectually challenge an adult over the age of 30 and he runs his own business, and is entering uni. The joy he has bought his family exceeds the sad moments with his constant operations.

Physical beauty is not everything, you seem quite fixated on it. yes it matters, but if that is the primary deciding factor in the spouse you marry, children you have, friends you have then you are a very ugly soul indeed. Btw my cousin and millions of disabled ppl out there are not retards only retard around here is you, you've got verbal diarrhoea fix it this Ramadan insha'Allah!

TPOS Wed, 26 Aug 2009 - 18:14

We all realise that Omrow doesnt find Saudi's to be pretty and yes i agree the insults he has thrown at them are disgusting but nowhere did he say disabled people are ugly!!!

and tbf whether he was using retard as a slang term or not "retards" do exist. :/

I think that comparison was just to show everyone isnt born "perfect", "normal" or even "good looking"

thats what i understood from the post anyway, hope i ddnt misunderstand it - that would be embarrasing! lol

Omrow Thu, 27 Aug 2009 - 13:10

Sister with the Power has understood me correctly.

This hajjar guy is getting all red for nothing.

Disabled people are not ugly.

In fact, at the University, I was very attracted to this girl in a wheel chair. So what if she was legless. She just couldnt walk. Everything else was fine. She was truly beautiful as well as highly intelligent.

But you have call a thing what it is.

A retard is a retard.
A leper is a leper.
A spastic is a spastic.
Deaf is deaf.
An ugly girl is an ugly girl.
A pretty chick is a pretty chick.
Saudis are ugly.
Turkey girl are pretty.
British ladies are beautiful.
Pakis are absolutely stunning.
Italians are not bad either.
Dubai women are mingers.

etc etc.

RI_RS Thu, 27 Aug 2009 - 17:13

Why do you lot keep going around in circles?

Clearly, his opinion won't change

and face it-he's entitled to it as much as we're entitled to ours.

It's all about preference.

TPOS Fri, 28 Aug 2009 - 13:34

MakeMeRawr_6TeenFWhy do you lot keep going around in circles?

Clearly, his opinion won't change

and face it-he's entitled to it as much as we're entitled to ours.

It's all about preference.

i did try telling them that before :/

Omrow Fri, 28 Aug 2009 - 15:39

ThE pOwEr Of SiLeNcE

MakeMeRawr_6TeenF

It's all about preference.

i did try telling them that before

And why are you two not telling us about yours.

Who do you find pretty; and who do you find ugly?

Dont be shy now.

Omrow Fri, 28 Aug 2009 - 15:56

Is that a biased view you express only because they are muslims, or are you
honestly describing your accurate observations.

Remember this is Ramadan.

So, just dont.

TPOS Fri, 28 Aug 2009 - 16:00

OmrowIs that a biased view you express only because they are muslims, or are you
honestly describing your accurate observations.

Remember this is Ramadan.

So, just dont.

the latter but i should ad "most" into my statment but thats kinda obvious.

The Lamp Fri, 28 Aug 2009 - 16:37

Well Omrow's entitled to his opinion but I think all girls (except the cruel ones) are beautiful in their own way. Hey, but please avoid being shallow in Ramadan, thank you!

You Fri, 28 Aug 2009 - 16:40

The LampWell Omrow's entitled to his opinion but I think all girls (except the cruel ones) are beautiful in their own way.

romeo! romeo!

TPOS Fri, 28 Aug 2009 - 16:41

(I just realised Omrow asked who i preffered but my reply was mainly to say that i dont think Arabs are ugly.)

RI_RS Fri, 28 Aug 2009 - 18:51

Omrow

ThE pOwEr Of SiLeNcE

MakeMeRawr_6TeenF

It's all about preference.

i did try telling them that before

And why are you two not telling us about yours.

Who do you find pretty; and who do you find ugly?

Dont be shy now.

Well if you must know, in terms of attractiveness, i'm least attracted to (in my age range) teenage asian dudes.

I don't like the style of young asian guys.

I hate that greasy looking spiky hairstyle and the way they think they're all that because they walk with an imaginary limp, jeans half hanging.

But of course, i'm not shallow enough to only care about what they look like. If they seem decent and capable of a conversation that goes a little further than " wagwaaaan, my mate wants your number innit" then i'll give 'em a chance (:

TPOS Fri, 28 Aug 2009 - 18:57

๐Ÿ˜‚

MakeMeRawr_6TeenF
I hate that greasy looking spiky hairstyle and the way they think they're all that because they walk with an imaginary limp, jeans half hanging.

that is disgusting!, but its not only asians who do the jeans half hanging thing.

idi Fri, 28 Aug 2009 - 21:03

You

The LampWell Omrow's entitled to his opinion but I think all girls (except the cruel ones) are beautiful in their own way.

romeo! romeo!

๐Ÿ˜‚ ๐Ÿ˜‚

RI_RS Fri, 28 Aug 2009 - 22:55

ThE pOwEr Of SiLeNcE:lol:

MakeMeRawr_6TeenF
I hate that greasy looking spiky hairstyle and the way they think they're all that because they walk with an imaginary limp, jeans half hanging.

that is disgusting!, but its not only asians who do the jeans half hanging thing.

But seriously, do people actually find that attractive? o.0

Noor Sat, 29 Aug 2009 - 00:32

M4k4v3l1yhhh, most of the gurls i know around oldham loveee that kind of thing

please say you don't do that.

that originated from prison.

idi Sat, 29 Aug 2009 - 02:41

YouSo *that's* where I have been going wrong!

๐Ÿ˜‚

Noor

M4k4v3l1yhhh, most of the gurls i know around oldham loveee that kind of thing

please say you don't do that.

that originated from prison.

nope am pleased to tell you i dont! i dress like a well civilised person ๐Ÿ™‚

Hajjar Sat, 29 Aug 2009 - 21:53

To the Power of Silence,

Just to clarify a mistake you made, Omrow did actually ridicule disabled ppl, he not only made a comparison between them and so called "ugly" ppl/Saudis but also disabled ppl.
You can defend him if you wish i never thght he would stoop so slow.

I dont see this as light hearted banter anymore, it's overstepped the mark.

Omrow

You

Come on Omrow, that is wrong.

What you mean to say is that you find them ugly.

Otherwise, humans/mankind has also been created in the best of forms according to a verse the Qur'an.

Then why does God create handicapped and disabled babies?

If God can make retards, then, creating ugly Saudi women is not a major issue.

Therefore, its not just that I personally see Arab women as ugly.

No. Its not a matter of taste.

Saudi girls are made mingers.
Just as some kids are born with disability.

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