Paging Alanis Morissette
It is with great sadness that I report that the Islamic Solidarity Games have been canceled.
Due to a lack of Islamic solidarity.
The Islamic Solidarity Games, due to be held in Iran in April, have been called off because of a dispute with Arab countries over what to call the Gulf.
The games federation in Saudi Arabia said the Iranian organisers had failed to address its concerns, particularly about the planned logo and medals.
These bear the words “Persian Gulf”, but Arab countries, who call it the Arabian Gulf, reject the term.
The games had been postponed in October in the hope of striking a deal.
The Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) in Riyadh said, after an emergency board meeting, Iran’s local organising committee “unilaterally took some decisions without asking the federation by writing some slogans on the medals and pamphlets of the games”.
Iran “did not abide by the rules of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation” and “did not follow the decisions taken by the general assembly of the federation at a previous meeting in Riyadh”, it said in a statement.
But Iran’s committee for the games disputed the decision.
“In spite of convincing arguments made to the ISSF executive committee, regrettably and without presenting any logical reasons, the ISSF committee decided not to hold the games with Iran as the host,” it said.
The games – which are meant to strengthen ties among Islamic countries – were first held in the Saudi city of Jeddah in 2005.
Iran has campaigned to ensure the body of water between Iran and the Arabian peninsula is known as the Persian, not the Arabian, Gulf.
Organizers of the upcoming Islamic Human Rights Games and Islamic Respect For Other Religions Games are reportedly worried.
Perhaps they should set up a games with a better chance of success.
Like, say, the Islamic Wipe Israel Off the Map Games.
About the Author
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.Filed Under: General
I don't understand why they don't just claim that the games have taken place, and award all of the prizes to their favorites without the need for a messy competition. After all, everyone would believe them.
Especially if they ask Judge Goldstone to adjudicate …
My advice to the people putting together these events: keep up the good work!!!
Perhaps, in order to avoid all of this unsightly conflict between the harmonious Nations of Islam, they should rename the Persian Gulf to " F-15 Bomber-run Gulf".
[I'm not a war-monger; I'm just hoping that Israel will practice Unilateral Nuclear Disarmament on an enemy nation. Again.]
If they had the Islamic Wipe Israel Off the Map Games, they could have competitions such as 100 metre homicide bombing, but since the only ones there would be the competitors, they could get rid of all those who would engage in this activity. Great idea.
Great lines! (But what is the Morrisette reference?)
She sang the song Ironic.