[url]http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2007/04/20/hijab-reaction.html[/url]

[I]Five Muslim girls aged eight to 13 were told by event organizers last weekend that under world taekwondo rules, only protective gear is allowed on the head and they could not compete with their headscarves.

But officials at the World Tae Kwon Do Federation have since said the rule is rarely enforced. The girls themselves had competed in the Montreal-area tournament for several years without a problem before last weekend.[/I]

Unlike the soccer incident, these guys are just being anal about the rules about extra clothing. The soccer rules allow hijabs as long as they are "sports" versions (ie unable to choke, close fitting, etc)

The Cdn federal government is on a caucus-wide "no comment" order.

[I]Cabinet members and MPs have retreated down staircases, referred the matter to colleagues, said they were too busy, or claimed they were unaware of the story when asked for an opinion.

One government member said an order not to comment came directly from the Prime Minister's Office....

Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion said he supports the girls' right to wear a hijab unless someone can prove that it poses a risk or gives them an unfair sporting advantage.[/I]