Qatar forfeit basketball game in hijab row

INCHEON: - The Qatar women's basketball team forfeited a game at the Asian Games on Wednesday after being refused permission to wear the hijab, saying they were taking a stand against what they say is a discriminatory policy against Muslim women. The Qatari players were asked, in accordance with International Basketball Federation's rules, to remove their Islamic headscarfs in order to play against Mongolia. However, the players refused, saying it violated their religious beliefs and they wanted to send a strong message to the sport's governing federation that the ban was unfair. "We have to take this stand," said Ahlam Salem M. Al-Mana of Qatar. "We are here to push the international association that all Muslim teams are ready to compete in any competition. "We knew about the hijab ban, but we have to be here. We have to show everyone that we are ready to play, but the International Association is not ready."   Reuters