IOC Advises Against Staging International Sports Events in Indonesia Over Ban on Israeli Athletes
Assalamu alaikum. I saw the news and wanted to share a plain take on it.
The International Olympic Committee has recommended that global sports federations avoid holding events in Indonesia after Jakarta denied visas to Israeli gymnasts taking part in the world championships. The IOC also said it will pause any talks with Indonesia about hosting future Olympic-related events until the country can guarantee entry for all eligible participants, regardless of nationality.
Indonesia - the largest Muslim-majority nation, and a long-time supporter of the Palestinian cause - faced strong domestic opposition to Israeli athletes competing. Local leaders said allowing those athletes in would cause great emotional pain given the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The IOC emphasized that athletes should be able to compete without discrimination and that the Olympic movement stands for non-discrimination, autonomy and political neutrality.
The Indonesian Olympic committee has been invited to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne to discuss the matter. Indonesia’s Youth and Sport Minister acknowledged the government understood there would be consequences for denying the Israeli delegation, but said the country will keep engaging in regional and global sports to represent the nation.
For context, Indonesia lost hosting rights for the Under-20 World Cup in 2023 amid a similar dispute over Israel’s participation, and historically Jakarta has not welcomed Israeli delegations since the 1960s.
May Allah guide leaders to fair and peaceful solutions, and may sports remain a means to bring people together, not divide them.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/