The 2012 London Olympics have been plunged into controversy by the discovery that the Games will clash with Ramadan, the most holy month in the Islamic calendar.

The clash will put Muslim athletes at a disadvantage as they will be expected to fast from sunrise to sunset for the entire duration of the Games.

In 2012, Ramadan will take place from July 21 to August 20, while the Olympics run from July 27 to August 12.

An anticipated 3,000 Muslim competitors are expected to be affected.

About a quarter of the 11,099 athletes who took part in the 2004 Athens Olympics came from countries with predominantly Muslim populations.

Because the Muslim calendar is based on a lunar cycle, the ninth month of Ramadan - which runs from the appearance of one new crescent moon to the next - gets earlier by around 11 days each year.

 

Is this just another instance of muslims influencing the world we live in or do they have a point. I always thought the games took place in July/August every 4 years, otherwise it would be too cold, especially in Britain.

 

 

This is just a coincidence, the Olympics are ALWAYS in July/August, except when they were in September in Oz cos it was too cold to do it then coz of their winter. They shouldn't be taking offence at all, but doubtless there will be some sort of change that is inconvenient for everyone except for them <_<

Why are they 'angry' about it? :blink: and why should we make alterations for them exactly?

Well, there´s an easy way out for Muslims to solve this problem: not participate. But I´m thinking the games ´will have a date change, because I think some people in the islamic world would have a more "explosive" reaction...

Well, there´s an easy way out for Muslims to solve this problem: not participate. But I´m thinking the games ´will have a date change, because I think some people in the islamic world would have a more "explosive" reaction...

 

Oh please, I doubt there'd be suicide bombs over the fact that some Muslims will have a disadvantage if they participate in the Olympics :rolleyes: It's not exactly a cause seen as worth dying for!

They're always looking for something to p*** and moan about. I say shoot the ****ers

 

 

bit of an extreme reaction there :blink:

 

Muslims can be angry if they want as the athletes will be at a disadvantage, but I doubt they're expecting a change as the olympics have always been at this time of year... however, one mustn't forget that this will also affect British Muslim atheletes, such as Amir Khan.

Edited October 15, 200618 yr by Starlight

bit of an extreme reaction there :blink:

 

Muslims can be angry if they want as the athletes will be at a disadvantage, but I doubt they're expecting a change as the olympics have always been at this time of year... however, one mustn't forget that this will also affect British Muslim atheletes, such as Amir Khan.

 

Dont bother even replying to that ignorant tosser Starlight.. I deleted his/her post..

 

Of course Muslim athletes will be at a disadvantage, Christ, they have to FAST all day, that means no food, no water, no energy supplements until sundown, how can anyone realistically compete...? One cannot simply say 'well dont bother competing then', that's a rather stupid answer to the problem, the Olympic Games are there to be inclusive to everyone not just the Christian world, so everyone has to be accommodated, the Olympic Committee cannot just tell a billion people all over the world to 'feck off'. If one is talking about a quarter of the total amount of athletes being potentially affected by this, then something has to be done, you can't just tell 3000+ out of 12,000 athletes to just 'not bother', it's hardly an insignificant amount. Ramadan isn't like just missing church for a Sunday here or there, it is something that affects Muslims 24/7 for a WHOLE MONTH, so it's a bit more drastic when you're talking about athletes who continually need to take on board fluids.

 

And you are quite correct, it would have an adverse effect on a fair few of UK athletes who are Muslim...

why should we make alterations for them exactly?

 

Why should the International Olympic Committee (where does the 'we' come into it...? The IOC makes all the rulings..) make alterations for more than a billion people all over the world..? Gee, I cant think 'Wicky..... :wacko:

 

Do you honestly believe that the 2012 Olympic Games is all just about ONE city? ONE country? It's about the whole fukkin' PLANET, mate..... I remember in the 80s when you had all the boycotts going on between US and Soviet Union, the 'competition' aspect of it was just rendered an utter joke because a lot of the world's best athletes were not actually competing against each other, and those games affected were just rather pointless...

If it's for a special reason or occasion, Muslims are allowed to abstain from fasting so I can't see a problem to be honest, unless the press want it to appear so?

I can't see a problem to be honest, unless the press want it to appear so?

 

Now what could make you think that....? :rolleyes:

"Oh .... my birthday falls right in the middle of the Olympics... change the date as it would mean I can't have a drink or party"......

 

If Muslims feel unable to participate because they're starving themselves in the name of a false God - feel free.... there's thousands more willing and able contestants who can replace them, end of.

"Oh .... my birthday falls right in the middle of the Olympics... change the date as it would mean I can't have a drink or party"......

 

If Muslims feel unable to participate because they're starving themselves in the name of a false God - feel free.... there's thousands more willing and able contestants who can replace them, end of.

 

So, you dont mind it potentially affecting the top athletes of about several dozen nations, how can it claim to be a 'global games' then....? And how many serious athletes would go out on the p*** anyway for any reason, birthday or not...? Not a good analogy at all...

 

The fasting is not merely for religious reasons, there are cultural reasons behind it as well....

So, you dont mind it potentially affecting the top athletes of about several dozen nations, how can it claim to be a 'global games' then....? And how many serious athletes would go out on the p*** anyway for any reason, birthday or not...? Not a good analogy at all...

 

The fasting is not merely for religious reasons, there are cultural reasons behind it as well....

 

no, I don't mind that one little bit, Scott.

 

As I said, there's thousands of athletes who are pipped at the post to competing for their country every Olympics - and I'm sure they'll be more than willing to replace the Muslims.

 

Also - as a sportsman - your sport is SUPPOSED to come before EVERYTHING... even family - you have to be 110% committed, it literally dominates your whole life, every waking hour. I think pulling out for a religious festival shows a startling lack of commitment to their sport - so I'd imagine their team-mates would be better off without these weak links anyway.

no, I don't mind that one little bit, Scott.

 

As I said, there's thousands of athletes who are pipped at the post to competing for their country every Olympics - and I'm sure they'll be more than willing to replace the Muslims.

 

Also - as a sportsman - your sport is SUPPOSED to come before EVERYTHING... even family - you have to be 110% committed, it literally dominates your whole life, every waking hour. I think pulling out for a religious festival shows a startling lack of commitment to their sport - so I'd imagine their team-mates would be better off without these weak links anyway.

 

Erm, you're failing to take account of the effect on entire NATIONS as well - Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, the Arab Nations, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Libya, etc, etc.... We just 'forget' about all them eh and the almost one billion people that live there...? Dont be daft.....

 

And the ones who get beaten are second-best surely, NOT the top of their particular discipline... Why would anyone actually want a second-stringer instead of the top man or woman...? If the best of the best aint competing, then there's no point to it at all. Nope, sorry mate, your argument has no logic at all... And if you actually think that Ramadan is a 'religious festival' like Christmas or summat, then you are totally wrong mate, I think you're thinking of "Eid"....

 

No one ever said that the Olympics had to be held at the same time all the time, it's been moved before, it can be moved again, and considering the weather patterns the South-East has been having in recent years, you probably could hold it in September/October without much trouble, or even June/July...

Oh please. :zzz: They whine about everything. They p*** me off. I'm sorry but are the Olympic committee supposed to move forward the games a whole MONTH just for a minority? No. -_- They always want everything their way. Did you see that woman on GMTV this morning with a mask over her face? Or more to the point could you HEAR her? I certainly couldn't. -_- Well I heard some muffled sound but that isn't much use.

But Muslims make up a tiny percentage of the athletes competing - why should a colossal event like the Olympics be moved to accommodate a small percentage of competitors? Absolutely not. Totally absurd, Scott.

 

As for the 'second best' athletes - are there REALLY that many top class athletes from Libya? From Morocco? Come on, Scott - there simply aren't. Plus, these countries not tuning in - do you really, honestly think there'll be a huge loss of revenue or viewing figures? I don't.

 

And the woman on TV this morning - I did what I do whenever I hear anyone talking behind a veil, the same as with sunglasses...I switched off. I refuse to talk and certainly listen to people who cover their faces. It's the absolute height of rudeness. For once, Jack Straw was a bloody hero the other week - let's hope his words become law pretty soon. I'm with the 93% of people who agree with him - veils are not acceptable in Britain. Offensive, disgusting and repulsive. I, for one, would quite happily see these women covered up - but in their countries of origin, thankyou very much. If they were born in this country - well, they should know better. How fukkin presumptious of them to assume all men's eyes would be on them - revolting. They don't only offend me - they disgust me. In fact, I think people should question and challenge EVERY woman they see wearing one.

 

As for Muslim women competing... hmm... I'd imagine the long jump, for one, would be more than difficult in a veil.... :rolleyes: Isn't it astonishing how the veils are brought out to these women's convenience? More to the point with this, though - how many countries will be willing to compete alongside Muslim nations? That's surely the biggest problem, and I'd imagine it'll be an even bigger one by the time these Olympics occur..... I wouldn't be at all surprised if these countries, if things carry on as they are, are omitted from the contest.

Dont bother even replying to that ignorant tosser Starlight.. I deleted his/her post..

 

 

Don't you dare delete my post and call me an ignorant tosser because you don't agree with my opinion.

Edited October 16, 200618 yr by JBM

God I'm so tired of these frickin people.

Call me small minded but I say we deport the bloomin lot of them - they do nothing but moan and protest about every little thing. If they don't like it they can **** off. I like interacting with people of different religions - here in Leicester the population is very diverse both in religion and culutre more diverse than anywhere else in the Midlands - but with all the viel c**p and now this plus that Mohammed cartoon - good God.

Don't you dare delete my post and call me an ignorant tosser because you don't agree with my opinion.

 

I wont tolerate ANYONE promoting violence against an ethnic minority, simple as, if you'd said that about Jews or black people you'd get the same treatment, period.. Come up with a constructive, adult argument, or dont post here, simple as... There's plenty of other posts I dont agree with (but then, they actually have constructive, well thought out arguments...), only YOUR post was deleted; hmmm, any intelligent person would be wondering why....

 

You put up the post again you WILL be banned from this forum... I'm the Mod, live with it....

But Muslims make up a tiny percentage of the athletes competing - why should a colossal event like the Olympics be moved to accommodate a small percentage of competitors? Absolutely not. Totally absurd, Scott.

 

As for the 'second best' athletes - are there REALLY that many top class athletes from Libya? From Morocco? Come on, Scott - there simply aren't. Plus, these countries not tuning in - do you really, honestly think there'll be a huge loss of revenue or viewing figures? I don't.

 

 

25% is hardly a "tiny" minority... Dont be silly...

 

The games are supposed to be all-inclusive of the whole world, that means that it's just as important for competitors from little places like Luxemburg, Faroe Islands or Andorra and other 'no-hopers' to be there as it is for the USA, China or Russia to be there... Otherwise there is no point to it.... These games belong to EVERYONE mate, dont you get it...??? What fukkin' difference does it make to have it a month early or late, Christ, the time was never set in stone like it was some huge, significant time that it could ONLY ever be in July/August.... It was only decided because the weather was judged to be better during the July/August period and that was the ONLY reason; now because of the climate changing that is no longer the case, summers in the South East of England in recent years have been going from the end of May until bloody October ffs!!! It's been bloody scorching in late-September in case you hadn't noticed....