Fatwa Against Presence of Iranian Women in Stadiums

Several high profile religious leaders have attacked the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, for his decision to lift the ban on women attending football matches in stadiums.

Conservative religious leaders have criticised Ahamadinjed for not consulting them before taking his decision and insisted presence of women in stadiums was against Islamic laws. One religious leader, Fazel Lankarani, went on further and issued a fatwa against the presence of the women in stadiums.

The head of Iran Physical Education, Aliabadi, who had earlier announced women are allowed to attend the games from the start of next season, seemed to backtrack on Wednesday when he told the reporters “The ban on single women still exists and we wont allow single women to attend any games. Only women who come with their familes will be allowed in”.

Several Iranian MPs have also criticised the decision. “We call on the president to annul the order to allow women into stadiums. The presence of women in stadiums is against moral, social and Islamic values. This is a hasty order. According to Islamic law, it is not right for women to watch men's bare legs" said the MP from Isfahan, Mohammad-Taghi Rahbar.

"Our point is not Islamic law. Women can go, but there needs to be cultural education beforehand. I think police can not even provide security for explosive materials, let alone security of women," said another MP.

The decision to lift the ban on women attending football matches was announced on Monday by Iran president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "It should be planned in a way that women are respected and are given the best places to watch national and important games. Experience has proven that when women and families are allowed into stadiums, ethics and chastity will prevail" said Ahmadinejad in a letter to Iran’s head of Physical Education. But with pressure mounting on him from several MPs and high profile religious leaders, it is unclear if Ahmadinejad would now be forced to change his earlier decision, or whether he would stick to his guns and force on the changes.