Qatari women bridge the gulf

Female athletes have rarely competed in Qatar and never before in a major sporting event here. In addition, the Grand Prix, the second hosted by Doha, was the first that Qatari women were allowed to attend in their home country.

“Our society is conservative but it is affected by changes in the world,” Qatari Athletic Federation chief, Dahlan Al-Hamad said. “However, we insist that the participants wear decent attire,” he said. The athletes were clad in outfits that went down to their knees or mid-thighs.

The changes occurred only days after the ruling Emir’s wife, Sheikh Muzaal-Mussanad, demanded a political role for women in conservative Gulf monarchies.

“The participation of women in political life is not a subject for debate. It’s a legitimate right,” the wife of Sheikh Hamad Ibn Khalifa Al-Thani told the London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat.

Women were given access to the Grand Prix “thanks to the Emir and his wife” University of Qatar psychologist Muza Al-Malki said. “I’m happy that women participated in this competition,” she said, adding, “I hope that this participation will open the way for Qatari women to represent Qatar on the international sporting scene.”