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Inside the Middle East
August 7, 2012
Posted: 1046 GMT

In Amman, Jordan, our team met the women of Jordan's national boxing team, the first female boxers in the Middle East. Nineteen-year-old Baraa Al-Absi is hoping her tenacity in the ring will lead to fighting on a bigger stage, like the Olympic Games. Except for one thing – Al-Absi is not technically allowed to box while wearing her headscarf, or hijab. Like many Muslims, Al-Absi wears the hijab for religious reasons. She’s not willing to take it off for anyone – even if it means quitting her team.

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Filed under: Culture •Inside The Middle East •Jordan •Palestinians •Women


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Jordanian   August 8th, 2012 8:07 am ET

this is stupid were is your team spirit ??? just take it off!!!

sharif   August 17th, 2012 8:58 pm ET

Careful ladies! It is much harder for us to control you if we can't force you to be covered all the time.

warsteiner   August 19th, 2012 12:44 pm ET

What about a head gear! could head gear be modified to accomplish the same goal. They should be allowed to wear religious attire. Its the same thing as bringing your prayers to god in the ring with you. She needs this for confidence so taking it away is not fair.

SHe is a   September 1st, 2012 11:44 pm ET

Mind slave.

Media Courses   September 3rd, 2012 7:45 am ET

Every one has the right to do be it men or be it women for thier rights.Its a very shameful to say that Jordan is following a very inhumanistic nature for its female boxer that must be pretended and unfollowed.
http://www.fame.ac.in/

Roelof   September 3rd, 2012 5:57 pm ET

Muslims men are such perverts, children, goats, camels, she can't risk anything.

JohnathanA   September 7th, 2012 4:04 pm ET

If you join a sport, you should abide by the rules of that sport. Being muslim or Catholic or Hindu should not make any difference.

icon downloads   September 20th, 2012 5:33 am ET

I am very grateful to you for the information. It very much was useful to me.

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Welcome to the Inside the Middle East blog where CNN's journalists post news, views and video from across the region. This is also a place where you can start the discussion so please keep your comments coming. We highlight not only current news stories but also anecdotes and issues that don't always make the top of the headlines.

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