Pakistan on Sunday peacefully held a mixed marathon race in the eastern city of Lahore, despite objections from Islamist political parties over women’s participation in the event. Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf inaugurated the race in which some 30,000 men and women athletes participated from Pakistan and 15 other countries. The marathon, which was first held in 2005, carried a total cash prize of 115,000 dollars. The event also had 10-kilometre (six miles), five-kilometre (three miles) and three-kilometre (1.8 miles) races.
‘This event has helped in creating a soft image of our country,’ Musharraf told reporters. ‘Through this international competition, the people of Pakistan have rejected the extremists, giving them a clear message that they are keen to organise and participate in such healthy sporting activities,’ he said.
Ameer ul-Azeem, a spokesman for Jamaat-e-Islami – Pakistan’s largest religious party – said protests by Islamist parties compelled the government to hold ‘segregated’ marathons. ‘We are not against women taking up a sport, but their participation in mixed events with men is not acceptable,’ Azeem said, adding that his party had not planned any disruption of the race this year. Riots erupted in the nearby city of Gujranwala in April 2005, after police stopped armed activists from disrupting a mini-marathon involving female competitors. Pakistan has tried to open up sports to women with the creation of female cricket and hockey teams in the past few years – although only family members are allowed to watch their matches. Rubab Raza, 14, was the country’s first female swimmer to dive in an Olympic pool at the 2004 Athens Games.
Re: Lahore mixed marathon held despite opposition - 30,000 take part
Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf waves a flag to start a mixed-sex marathon, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007 in Lahore, Pakistan. Musharraf officially started the marathon, despite opposition by radical Islamic parties who say the event should be segregated by gender.
Re: Lahore mixed marathon held despite opposition - 30,000 take part
as far as i know, Lahore marathon was not primarily started or arranged to help victims of kashmir earthquake. if they are donating the funds raised to quake relief, i appreciate it. the initiative was taken by city govt./punjab govt. and was sponsored by private companies. for details go to http://www.lahoremarathon.com/pages/index.asp
a festival ‘hamara karachi’, is continuing in karachi. maybe they could arrange something to help vitims of hyderabad hurricane? i have no objection if the money generated from lahore marathon goes to hyderabadi victims. every human life is important. however i wouldn’t try to compare kashmir earth quake to hyderabad hurricane. but then perhaps i would try not to be bothered with the political posturing of JI or Musharraf on this occasion. a marathon is a marathon, not an armageddon.
Re: Lahore mixed marathon held despite opposition - 30,000 take part
We have a lot of serious issues in Pakistan which are far more important. Now we know that a lot of people wouldn't support mixed marathons so can't we just arrange 2 different marathons to avoid some extra tension there and concentrate on other things.
Plz don't judge me but just try to think that as a nation can we afford conflicts?. I'm not saying its right or wrong. I'm just saying that if something is a reason for tension among some people - try to avoid it if its possible.
Re: Lahore mixed marathon held despite opposition - 30,000 take part
They are but just like how the Klu Klux Klan lost its influence on the US Public in the 1930's was a victory for the American people, the same applies in this case
Re: Lahore mixed marathon held despite opposition - 30,000 take part
wow, you can compare the mullahs with KKK but when people compare extremist Jews with terrorists/KKK you are out with your tanks and missiles to defend their extremism, kudos to youl.
Re: Lahore mixed marathon held despite opposition - 30,000 take part
this aint no fun without the fundo brigade....we need another perspective on this, garam masalla, kuch garam thail...kuch huwa aur phir aag....what happened to our bastions of morality? such a quick exit? or are we all ow secular? I dont think so....come out come out wherever u r....
