Tunisian Olympians targeted by Islamist radicals for behavior and dress deemed un-Islamic

Habiba Ghribi of Tunisia reacts after winning the silver medal in the Women's 3000m Steeplechase final on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 6, 2012 in London, England. / Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

(AP) TUNIS, Tunisia - Islamist extremists have targeted two Tunisian Olympic medalists for behavior and dress seen as un-Islamic, as debate grows over the role of religion and women in the country that unleashed the Arab Spring uprisings.

Radicals on social media networks called on the government to strip Habiba Ghribi, the first Tunisian woman to win an Olympic medal, of her nationality because her running gear was too revealing. She won the silver in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

And a Facebook campaign by extremist group Ansar al Chariaa is targeting swimmer Oussama Mellouli for drinking juice before racing during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Mellouli won gold in the 10-kilometer marathon and bronze in the 1,500-meter freestyle.

Tunisia is run by a moderate Islamist-led government that is facing increasing challenges from religious extremists.

On Monday, Tunisians rallied to protest against what they see as a push by the government for constitutional changes that would degrade women's status.

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[Ulgnud]

It is sad to see Tunisia unable to celebrate the accomplishment of these two athletes and the Honor they brought to Tunisia and themselves.

[skeezix06]

If they're smart, they'll both stay in the west and refuse to go home.

[Noval53]

Moderate Muslims can only exist in peace, in a country not dominated & ruled by Islam. Habiba would likely be arrested, beaten, and perhaps killed were she to run in such an outfit in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, etc.

[technocoffee]

All these centuries...all the progress. From the prominent belief in New Covenant Christianity, from the Age of Enlightenment, Industrial Revolution & 20th Century filled with space exploration and too many inventions to list-Western society is mankind's potential always being encouraged & where many of the world's people try so desperately to live. Islamic Middle East=same Stone Age repression where most of the people are trying to flee FROM, unless they love staying dumb, violent, sexist & ignorant above all other cultures.

[Jaylah54200]

Perhaps you could try that again. In English this time?

[1notrub11]

So, let's see......

Are the radicals claiming that when the athletes in question were in Tunisia qualifying to attend the Olympics, they qualified wearing something else? Unlikely.
While it is highly likely, are these women actually Muslim?
If the radicals don't like how they are represented, they can always change their own qualifying rules, of course. Or don't they have enough "votes"?
It is truly sad that such men have to hide their insecurity in this way.

[Jaylah54200]

Interesting that they want to strip her of her nationality, but evidently don't want to give the gold medal back.

[Bryan_inLC]

You know what...CBS may yank this...So be it..I THANK GOD THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD that I am in a country where I know the blessings of freedom.....of choice..philosophy....adherence.....what a HORRIBLE place to live if otherwise

[Jaylah54200]

Glad to know that you believe in the same "ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD" (which is no god at all) that I do.

I mean, we can't both be right, correct?

So, in this country, this is how it works: If you want the freedom to believe what you believe, then you have to extend that SAME freedom to people who believe other things.

If you want people to respect your beliefs, then you have to show that SAME respect to people that believe other things.

Yes, you have the right to believe what you will. But with that right (as with all rights) come responsibilities. If you don't want to have other people's beliefs crammed down your throat, you have the responsibility to make sure you aren't cramming your own religious opinions down anybody else's throat.

[Jaylah54200]

Sounds just like the radical right in this country.

[brsinai]

Sounds like a typical radical left comment about the right in this country.

[Jaylah54200]

brsinai, obviously you don't know the difference between the Republican party and the radical right-wingers of this country. Or any other country.

[John782011]

One interesting aspect og the sports apparel is tha the guys wear more on top than the women. The guys wear traditional traack shirts while the women wear the equivalent of a sports bra. (Not that I am complaining :)

[Henri_Rochard]

Ms. Ghribi has great abs.

[nomorelibs]

Nothing to see here people. Just another extremist group spewing their hatred. Don't blame the religion, blame the idiots.

[Tina1649]

All athletes wear clothing conducive to their sport, period. For the extremists to not be proud of their athletic achievements and instead to focus on what they wear or drink for competition speaks volumes of their lack of intellect.

[erasmus111]

Let's leave the extremists out of this. Talking about men in general, what do you think they would be focussed on more? A women's ass cheeks, or their athletic achievements??

[commonsense4sure]

You have that absolutely RIGHT! I am proud of those girls and I'm from the USA! Those islamists should be ashamed of themselves but they are small minded, insecure mental invalids!