On Sunday 5th August 2012, numerous media outlets published a message of congratulations from Prince Nawaf Ibn Faisel to Wojdan Shaherkani for her participation in the Olympics. This was issued after considerable debate and speculation regarding the validity of female Saudi entrants being able to compete in the London Olympic Games 2012 with Hijab. The Saudi Regime and other likeminded personalities were of the opinion that acceptance of Saudi women competing with the distorted version of Hijab was a victory and historic achievement. In June the Saudi regime accepted for its women to compete in the games for the first time. The Saudi embassy in London issued a statement that read, “The King of Saudi Arabia wishes to reaffirm its support for the sublime meanings reflected by the Olympic Games.”
Dr. Nazreen Nawaz, Central Media Representative, Hizb ut-Tahrir commented, “The sham claim of the Saudi regime that they are victorious because of the participation of the Saudi women in the Olympic Games with something masquerading as Hijab is ridiculous! It is well-known that Islam prohibits the participation of women in sports activities in the presence of male audiences even if they wore full Islamic dress. Indeed, the participation of Muslim women in the Olympics compromises their Islamic dress code of the khimar (headscarf) and jilbab (outer garment) and undermines the concept of hayah (modesty) of the woman to which Islam attaches great importance and worth. This is asides from the fact that Islam rejects the harmful nationalistic principles upon which the Olympics are based. However, by accepting for its women or men to partake in these games, this non-Islamic archaic regime has displayed yet again its total disregard for the principles and laws of Islam, and that the values it holds as “sublime” are the corrupt ideals of the Western liberal ideology – a system that believes it is perfectly acceptable for women to present themselves half-naked in sport or society for the satisfaction of men.”
“The cloak has long fallen from this hypocritical state which is riddled with contradictions and that pursues a charade of implementing Shariah to maintain popular support while in reality is legislating laws based upon the dictates and self-preservation of Kings, princes, and despots. On one hand it un-Islamically bans women from driving on the basis of preventing fitna (corruption) in society while on the other permits her to be alone in a car with a male driver who is a stranger. On one hand it claims it will give women the right to vote in municipal elections while on the other imprisoning women who protest against the oppression of the regime, stripping them of a basic Islamic political right. And on one hand it claims to enforce strict gender segregation while on the other permitting the corrupt Arab entertainment media channels of Waleed bin Talal and others to function freely within the state, promoting free-mixing and extramarital relationships to the society.
“This frail, dying regime has demonstrated time and again its flagrant willingness to sacrifice Islam to satisfy the whims of its rulers or save its own back.”
“Isn’t it time for all vestiges of this British-installed regime that has shown no regard for the sanctities of Islam, to be uprooted and swept aside, isn’t it time for a sincere state whose basis is the Aqeeda of Islam and one that has the Ahkam Sharia as the source of its ruling and measure of its action (Khilafah) to arise again. The concern of such a state would be to spread justice in the world part of which is ensuring that the God-given rights of its women and men are secured. It is a state that will return to women the right to elect and account their ruler without fear, enable them to drive and manage their financial affairs independently, as well as have an active public life while simultaneously implementing policies and laws that will guard their Islamic dress, modesty, and security – based upon the Islamic principle that the woman’s dignity and wellbeing is priceless and inviolable.
We ask our sisters in Saudi not to accept these political crumbs and partial reforms and we warn them not to be misled with the mirage of change. Instead we urge them to work hard with their sisters to re-establish the Khilafah State which will arise soon by the will of Allah. It is only the Khilafah that alone can fulfil our aspirations for a better future.”
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ ۖ فَإِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا
“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those of you who are in authority over you and if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.” [An-Nisa, 4:59]
Dr. Nazreen Nawaz
Hizb-ut Tahrir Central Media Representative
17 Ramadan 1433
05/08/2012