True Colours
Hamas showed its true colours earlier this week - as it banned women and girls from taking part in a United Nations sponsored marathon on the Gaza Strip.
Despite the fact that women and men - along with girls and boys - had taken part in previous events Hamas suddenly announced that a 'mixed sex' marathon was against Islamic tradition.
And this in the week which celebrated International Women's Day - would you believe.
The UN Relief and Works Agency said in a statement:
“This disappointing decision follows discussions with the authorities in Gaza, who have insisted that no women should participate.”
Yet the planned field included 1,500 schoolchildren - the girls and boys who were due to run in relays - and 800 adults.
The event was due to include a record number of women — 260 Palestinians and 119 foreign runners.
A UN spokesperson added:
“The marathon was an annual event to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and to raise funds for summer camps organised by UNRWA which serve at least 250,000 schoolchildren.”
The men from Hamas who made this ridiculous decision have had little to say for themselves publicly - but that's what tends to happen when religious leaders get a grip on power.
All they have to say is - it's God's will.
Which is of course complete nonsense.
