American Muslim Woman to Compete in Islamic Games in Iran

September 17, 2005

Source: Dawn

http://www.dawn.com/2005/09/18/spt20.htm

On September 17, 2005 Dawn reported, "An American Muslim runner is to be the first woman to represent the US in Iran’s Islamic Women Games, although photographers will not be allowed to record the event to be held in Tehran from Sept 22 to 28. Saira Kureshi, 26, will compete in the 800 and 1500 meter in the fourth all-women games, since they were launched in 1993 as a way for Iranian women to compete while observing their strict dress code of being covered head to toe... Despite severed ties between Iran and the US since 1979, Kureshi is not the first American athlete to come to the Islamic republic. In 1998 an American wrestling team took part in the international Takhti Cup tournament. But Kureshi will be the first American woman to compete in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution."