PERCEIVED EFFECT OF RELIGION ON MUSLIM WOMEN SPORTS INVOLVEMENT IN SHARIA ACCOMMODATING STATES IN NIGERIA  

ABSTRACTS

The study examined the perceived influence of religion on Muslim women sports participation in sharia compliant States in Nigeria. To achieve the purpose of this study, ex-post facto design was adopted. The population for the study comprised of all the Muslim women in the nine (9) sharia compliant states in Nigeria. The sample for the study was 384 Muslim women drawn from three sharia compliant states: Kano, Niger and Zamfara states. The data collected for the study were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation (Std) to test and analyze bio-data variables and to answer research questions. Inferential statistics of Chi-square was used to test all stated hypotheses with a view to either accept or reject each null hypothesis. The level of significance was set at 0.05. The major findings from the study showed that: There is significant influence of  culture on Muslim women sports participation in sharia compliant states in Nigeria. Parental influence had significant influence on Muslim women sports participation in sharia compliant states in Nigeria, There was significant influence of level of awareness of the benefits of sports on Muslim women sports participation in sharia compliant states in Nigeria, there was significant influence of level of awareness of Islamic Injunction on Muslim women  participation in  sports in Sharia compliant state  in Nigeria. The researcher recommended that: the Muslim leaders and the preachers should, educate the women on how Islam supports their participation in sports. Government should sensitize the Muslim women on the benefits of their participation such as good health/fitness gainful employment, scholarship and prevention of injuries as a result of sports participation. All cultural beliefs against women participation in sports should be discouraged by parents, teachers, Islamic Preachers and so on. Parents need to influence their female children on the need to participate in sports instead of discouraging them.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background to the Study

Throughout history, humanity has invented sports primarily as a means to meet socially with others to display skills and physical prowess and to entertain or offer excitement. Many early cultures like the ancient Greeks and the Aztec Indians incorporated religious and political elements into their games but there was always a desire for recreational play that eventually inspired the codification of early games and the invention of new ones (Obare, 2000).

Religionis defined as “Human beings” relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, spiritual, divine. It is commonly regarded as consisting of a person‟s relation to God or to gods or spirits. Worship is probably the most basic element of religion, but moral conduct, right belief and participation in religious institutions are generally also constituent elements of the religious life as practised by believers and as commanded by religious sages and scriptures (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2004).

For many Muslim women, religious beliefs and values give meaning to the ways in which they structure and approach their life. Islam is a fundamental aspect of their identity and their approach to sports is often determined by religious, cultural and ethnic factors (Women Sports and Fitness Foundation, 2010).  In general, Islam promotes good health and fitness and encourages both men and women to engage in physical activity to maintain healthy lifestyles. However, there are aspects of the religion which affect how sports can be practised, for example; women following their faith cannot engage in mixed gender sports and the environment and dress code also requires consideration (Women Sport and Fitness Foundation, 2010).

Most scholars agree that sport is not a religion in the same way that Christianity, Judaism and Islam are (Donald, 2000). Chandler (1992) stated that, sport is not a religion claiming that sport could never be considered a religion because it cannot lead to one‟s spiritual salvation. Although many scholars thought that sport is nothing to do with religion, some books indicated that there is relationship between sport and religion. For example, some religious organizations, such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Missionary Athletes use sports as a means of recruiting new members (Cordes & Ibrahim, 1999) and spread the gospel. On the other hand, athletes say prayers to their God for protection in competition, or for good performance and prayers for successful championship (Cordes & Ibrahim, 1999). Infact, ritual and religion exert great influence over human behaviour, including sport activities during leisure time. Religion can shape the specific sport participation. For example, Islam forbids Kung Fu because Islam thinks that Kung Fu inflicts physical harm, which is contrary to divine law (Chehabi, 2002).

Muslim female are confronted with more constraints comparing with nonMuslim female due to the cultural and religious belief. Even though Islam is not against sport, Muslim female cannot play sport in public in some Arabic countries, like Yemen (Stevenson, 1998) and Afghanistan (Hargreaves, 2000). Relative low sport participation rate are shown among Muslim female who live in Islamic countries or non- Islamic countries (Hargreaves, 2000).

In Nigeria, Dimka, and Ekele (1999) were of the opinion that women in the Northern States have very limited sports participation in scope and intensity because of traditional and religious beliefs which restricts them from participating in sports. Adeyanju (2012) reported that Sport is a very important aspect of Nigeria’s sociocultural life which impacts on many of the individual’s precious personal momentous and deepest values, male or female. She stated that, an analysis of those actively involved in sports in Nigeria indicates that men constitute the greater number either as players, coaches, or as administrators and in spite of Nigeria’s ethnic, culture and religious diversity, a constant theme seems to run through the society as regards the traditional place of women which traditional place is in the home.  According to her, most traditional Nigerian societies are patriarchal in nature and that Nigeria is a society in which the experience and values of men predominate. Adeyanju (2012) emphasized that; the low involvement of women in sports is not due to the lack of interest in sports by women but it is due to the long history of direct, and indirect systemic forms of discrimination and stereo-typing as well as many other problems that women have to contend with. She noted that, if Nigeria is to fulfill her aspiration of being amongst the top sporting countries of the world, the issue of women participation in sports must be successfully addressed.

Bello (2000) revealed that Sharia had been in full operation in Nigeria before the advent of the colonialist and historically, some of the artifact indicated that Sharia was found in Kano, Sokoto, Niger, Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Bauchi, Borno and Zamfara. Sharia is a way of life of a Muslim which defines for him how to interact with people who belong to the same religion as well as those other believers. It teaches how to respect and protect the life and property of those who co-exist with him whether of same faith or not. It is a divine law which left nothing untouched be it social, economic and political ways of life (Bello, 2000).

In Nigeria, Sharia has been instituted as a main body of civil and criminal law in nine (9) Muslim-majority and in some parts of three (3) Muslim-plurality States since 1999, when then–Zamfara State governor Ahmad Rufai Sani began the push for the institution of Sharia at the state level of government (Ogugua, 2011). But the most persistent and widespread prejudice and discrimination against women in many societies in which Nigeria is not left out, have been in the realm of sports. Women in the Sharia compliant States in Nigeria are seriously discriminated in many aspects of human endeavor (Chune, 2005). However, some still against all odds get involved in sports. It is against this background, that this study sought to find out the perceived influence of religion on female sports participation in the Sharia compliant States in Nigeria.

1.2   Statement of the Problem

Sports play a vital role in physical, mental, emotional, social and psychological development of its participants without any discrimination of gender. Male and female are equal but still women are facing numerous problems of inequality throughout the world especially in Islamic countries and developing countries of the world (Chung, 2005). In some Islamic countries such as Iran and Libya women are not allowed to participate in any kind of sports. Although participation of women and girls in all kind of sports and their right to play is a global issue but it is generally conceived that women and girls in Islamic countries are facing countless problems in this regard. Religion is a controversial subject and one of the most influential components in the lives of people throughout the world. The influence of religion plays a major role and has a severe impact on the world‟s population. Individuals often determine their moral character, daily schedules, and practices due to their chosen religion (Chung, 2005).

Participation of Muslim women in sports depends upon many factors such as country of origin, religious orientation, gender norms, culture, parents, family, relatives and society member support (Dagkas, Symeon, & Tansin Benn, 2010). These are the factors which shape different attitude and beliefs on physical activities, sports and athletics. Some Muslim women participate in sports without any hurdle, while some other Muslim women face numerous problems, hurdles and challenges for sports participation. It depends on country to country. In some Muslim countries Muslim women face various problems and hurdles for participation in sports due to religious and cultural reasons, mixed gender sports, dress codes, attitude towards sports and limited resources (Dagkas, Symeon, & Tansin, 2010). There is another problem that some countries consider sports as male activity. Example was Senegal in this regard where participation in sports is socially and culturally prohibited for Muslim women because they believe that sports and athletics are by definition masculine (Hewett, 2010). Although there have been various obstacles that hinder women from active participation in competitive sports, some have realized that taking part in sports is a worthy and fulfilling experience. In recent times there exist quite a number of girls and women who have broken loose of culture and other inhibitions to assume their rightful place in the world of sports (Adeyanju, 1993).

But with casual observation in some of these Sharia compliant States such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno, Kano, and Bauchi, most children and women in muslim community don‟t participate in sporting activities due to the cultural, norms and Islamic religion rights which do not permit the women to exposed their body and mix with opposite sex. Sporting activities are activities that consists of jumping, running and other physical activities. Based on these and many more the study was to educate, encourage, enlighting and sensitize the muslim women to participate in sporting activities for healthful benefits. But if one looks at Surrah, Qur‟an 24 verse 31 which states that: “O ye who belief! Forbid not the good things which Allah hath made lawful for you, and transgress not. Lo! Allah hath not transgressors” (Bello, 2000). One would think that women should also enjoy the good things as stated in the law. This therefore prompted the researcher to undertake this study to determine the perceived influence of religion on female sports participation in Sharia compliant States in Nigeria.

1.3        Research Questions

The study sought to answer the following specific research questions:

1. Does culture of the people in sharia compliant States in Nigeria have influence on Muslim women participation in sports?
2. Does parental influence in sharia compliant States in Nigeria influence Muslim women participation in sports?
3. Does the level of awareness of the benefits of sports influence Muslim women participation in sports in sharia compliant States in Nigeria?
4. Does the level of awareness of Islamic injunction on Muslim women in sharia compliant States in Nigeria influence their participation in sports?

 

 

1.4       Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study was to:

1. determine the influence of the culture in sharia compliant States in Nigeria on Muslim women participation in sports.
2. examine parental influence on Muslim women participation in sports in Sharia compliant states in Nigeria.
3. determine the level of awareness of the benefits of sports participation of

Muslim women  in sharia compliant States in Nigeria

4. examine the influence of the level of awareness of Islamic injunction by the Muslim women in sharia compliant States in Nigeria on their participation in sports.

1.5       Significance of the Study

This study is significant based on the following basis:

1. It may have positive influence on the cultural norms affecting Muslim women participation in sports in sharia compliant states in Nigeria.
2. Its outcome may provide awareness of Islamic injunctions on Muslim women participation in sports in order enjoy the good things as stated in the law.
3. Its significance may create awareness of the benefits of sports participation for

Muslim women in sharia compliant states in Nigeria.

4. The study also would go a long way in enlightening and educating the parents and other members of the society about their roles, expectations and contributions to the progress of women involvement in sports in sharia compliant states in Nigeria.

 

1.6        Hypotheses

Based on the research questions, the following major and sub hypotheses were formulated for the purpose of this study.

1.6.1 Major Hypothesis

There is no significance influence of religion on Muslim women sports participation in sharia compliant States in Nigeria.

1.6.2 Sub-Hypotheses

1. There is no significant influence of culture on Muslim women sports

participation in sharia compliant states in Nigeria.

2. Parental influence in sharia compliant states in Nigeria has no significant influence on Muslim women participation in sports.
3. Level of awareness of the benefits of sports has no significant influence on

Muslim women participation in sports in sharia compliant states in Nigeria.

4. Level of awareness of Islamic injunction on Muslim women in sharia compliant states in Nigeria has no significant influence on their participation in sports.

1.7        Basic Assumptions

On the basis of available research and professional opinion, the following assumptions were made for this study.

1. The culture of the people in sharia compliant States in Nigeria may influence Muslim women participation in sports.
2. The parental attitude may influence Muslim women participation in sports in sharia compliant States in Nigeria.
3. The awareness of the benefits of sports influence Muslim women participation in sports in sharia compliant States in Nigeria.
4. Adequate knowledge of Islamic injunctions on women participation in sports in Sharia compliant States in Nigeria influence their participation in sporting activities.

1.8       Delimitation of the Study

            The study, which examined the perceived influence of religion on Muslim women participation in sharia compliant States in Nigeria, is delimited to Kano, Niger and Zamfara states.

1.9 Limitation

The main problem encountered during the course of this research was in ability of the respondents to read and understand the questionnaire properly. The researcher was able to overcome the problem by the helped of research assistant who read and translated the questionnaire to the respondents.

1.10     Operational Definition of Terms Islam

Is the complete way of life: This teaches the Muslims on how to leave peacefully with Muslim and non Muslims.

Muslim

Are the people who believe in one God, Allah and believe that Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is Allah‟s messenger and the greatest Prophet.

Sharia

Is the obligation and injunctions governing Islam in sharia compliant states in Nigeria.

Religion

Is the practice that someone or some group of people is or are seriously devoted to in sharia compliant states in Nigeria.

Compliant States

States accepting and practicing Sharia laws in Nigeria.

Perceived influence

Beliefs or opinions on various factors affecting Muslim women to participate in sports.

Sports

Are games such as football, tennis, basketball, table tennis, volley ball, running, golf, and other competitive leisure activities, that Muslim women participate in.

Participation

Taking part of women in sports in Zamfara, Kano and Niger states.

Culture

Is the general behaviour and practice of Muslim women in sharia compliant states in Nigeria.

Islamic Injunction

Islamic injunction is the rules and regulations governing sports participation of

Muslim women in sharia compliant states in Nigeria

PERCEIVED EFFECT OF RELIGION ON MUSLIM WOMEN SPORTS INVOLVEMENT IN SHARIA ACCOMMODATING STATES IN NIGERIA  

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