Dilshad D. Ali: August 2008 Archives

It wasn't big news, but it was making headlines in the publishing world when a new book called "The Jewel of Medina" about Aisha, the last wife of The Prophet Muhammad, hit the stands and stoked some controversy--not because of Muslim outrage, but because of a perceived Muslim outrage.

Written by Sherry Jones (a non-Muslim), the book chronicles Aisha's life and imagines her relations with her husband--The Prophet Muhammad. Apparently there are some racy scenes. And when a University of Texas professor who was invited to comment about the book said that it might offend Muslims, Random House yanked it as quick as a dangling loose tooth. Because, you know, if a Muslim is outraged, the only thing he/she will do is riot, burn, pillage, and maim.

So far, the 2008 Olympics has been all Michael Phelps, Dara Torres, Chinese divers, Liu Xiang bowing out (gasp!), gymnastics, Usain Bolt, Redeem Team, U.S. men's water polo, Kerry Walsh and Misty May-Trainer (this list is getting so long!) and Jamaican sprinters. Very inspirational stuff.

But for me, the excitement kicks into overdrive Tuesday night when Bahrain's Ruqaya Al Ghasara takes the track at the Bird's Nest stadium in the 200 m sprint--in her specially designed, flaming red hijood. What's that?

A sports hijab, natch.

As I'm staying up late and watching coverage of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the spirit of the Games has once again taken hold over me: America's Jason Lezak chasing down France's Alain Bernard in the final leg of the 4x100 free relay to secure a gold medal for his team (and for Michael Phelps, who needed this team win to keep him on track for his historic gold medal run) or when the Russian and Georgian female athletes (who won silver and bronze in shooting) embraced after their wins--while their countries were battling. Anticipating moments like these are what compelled me and fellow Olympics junkie (and Beliefnet editor) Lilit Marcus to put together the Top 15 Most Inspirational Olympic Moments gallery. But let's face it--everything hasn't always been inspirational and heartwarming at the Olympics. Though the inspirational and exciting moments certainly outweigh the bad ones, they do exist. So, without Olympic fanfare, here are some of the most un-inspiring Olympic moments in history:

• The 1980 Games (in Moscow) and 1984 Games (in Los Angeles), when the United States and the Soviet Union boycotted each other's Olympics. Who suffered? All the athletes who spent their lives training for those Games.
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