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CALGARY (Canada) - Alberta Liberals accused the provincial government Tuesday of ignoring basic human rights after a 14-year-old girl was forced to leave a Calgary soccer game for wearing a Muslim headscarf.
"This incident is the latest in a long line of needless controversies that should be behind us, including the wearing of turbans, religious symbols and the like," Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft said in the legislature.
Recreation Minister Hector Goudreau said Monday in Calgary that he supports the referee's decision to force Safaa Menhem to leave Saturday's game, at least for now. Safaa was wearing a hijab, which covers the hair and neck as part of a religious requirement to dress modestly.
Taft asked Premier Ed Stelmach why the government is "allowing soccer rules to trump basic human rights?"
Stelmach responded that Goudreau was simply supporting the referee that made the decision, but has also agreed to meet with both sides to work out an arrangement.
"In this particular case, the referee was only following, apparently, the rules and regulations that he was supposed to be, for safety reasons, according to the association."
Opposition members weren't buying it, and cries of "it's not about safety" echoed after the premier spoke.
Richard Scott, spokesman for the Canadian Soccer Association, said the group follows a simple rule from the international soccer federation FIFA when it comes to what players wear.
Across Canada the rules regarding hijabs in soccer can vary. Both Alberta and Quebec have faced controversies when girls were ejected from games. Several other associations allow hijabs to be worn during play.
The FIFA rule states that "a player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery)." According to Scott, that fairly open phrase is often accompanied by specific regulations or rules for particular terms or competitions.
He gave the example of goaltending gloves, which are not specifically mentioned in the game laws but which may be restricted in size or type in individual leagues or competitions.
Sameer Zuberi, spokesman for the Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations, said women around the world play all kinds of sports wearing hijabs, and he has never heard of an associated injury. He said many wear traditional hijabs without incident, but that a sport hijab, which is fastened with Velcro and easily pulls free, can ease any safety concerns.
"The hijab is involved in sports, and it's not something that's alien or foreign. It is there," he said.
"I think in Canada we're starting to see women wear the hijab, and that's something we're not used to, but it doesn't mean that women who wear the hijab cannot play sports."
Several other sports have faced similar issues over the past several years. Earlier this month, an 11-year-old girl was banned from a judo tournament for wearing the head covering. In April, a taekwondo team of Muslim girls withdrew from a tournament in Longueuil, Que., after they were barred from fighting while wearing hijabs.
Alberta officials have said the latest decision has nothing to do with religion, noting that Muslim turbans are allowed on the field because they can easily be pulled free.
Safaa's coach said the team is not interested in discussing the issue of the hijab, but rather just making sure the teenager can play.
"She's going to continue to practice with us, as long as her family allows her to do that," said Andre Giesbers, assistant coach of the under-16 competitive Chinook Phantoms.
"And we're just going to sit there and hope that the minor soccer association, and all these associations, can do their magic and make this work so she can play."
Giesbers said the sport is meant to be inclusive in order to allow as many children as possible to enjoy it.
"If somebody's been playing for five years, and has played the last five games, let's just sit down and work on this and get this thing resolved."
Stelmach said his government is willing to listen to anyone who is concerned over the issue through the Alberta Human Rights Commission.
"That's their responsibility to hear the case, and they will listen to the individual and make the appropriate decision, that's the role," he said.
"It's not the government ... that's assigned this responsibility (THE CANADIAN PRESS)
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