WEST BANK: Middle East Women's Football

More than 10,000 women came to watch the first-ever home game for the Palestinian women's football team in a friendly match against Jordan an historic, first-ever home match at the Faisal al Hussaini Stadium in Al Ram, West Bank. Religious and cultural barriers in the Middle East often prevent women from participating in sports dominated by men, such as Iran and Kuwait where the creation of women's football teams was banned after religious clerics and government officials dubbed them as...
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More than 10,000 women came to watch the first-ever home game for the Palestinian women's football team in a friendly match against Jordan an historic, first-ever home match at the Faisal al Hussaini Stadium in Al Ram, West Bank. Religious and cultural barriers in the Middle East often prevent women from participating in sports dominated by men, such as Iran and Kuwait where the creation of women's football teams was banned after religious clerics and government officials dubbed them as 'un-Islamic'. The Palestinian women's team has grown in popularity, and has become a symbol not just of Palestinian nationalism but also for women's rights. With the support of the Palestinian Football Association, more families are allowing their daughters to participate as representatives travel from village to village to inform people that it is not forbidden for women to play.
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