Letters to the Editor
Religious openessat USF commendable
Re: “Her faith in practice,” Sept. 14
I applaud USF and coach Jose Fernandez for supporting Andrea Armstrong in her decision to follow the Islamic dress code for women. I certainly hope that the NCAA will follow suit and allow Andrea to wear her long pants, long shirt, and hijab (scarf) during the games.
It is to be acknowledged that she is not requesting to wear something simply for rebellion or to show off stylish clothes. She believes, as well as the other covered Muslim women and men, that God ordered us to dress modestly in specific ways. For women it’s loose, non-see-through garments covering everything except the hands and face. For men it’s loose, non-see-through garments covering from the navel to the knee. These orders are to be practiced in front of the opposite sex along with lowering our gaze (this means you can’t “check each other out” no matter what you are wearing).
Lastly, I would like to point out a mistake the editors made regarding the article. While it may be difficult to discard previously taken photos of Andrea that are already posted in various places or floating around, it would make sense to not use a photo of her uncovered alongside the article after she has clearly chosen to wear the Islamic clothing. I take it as a mistake but it’s something to think about for future articles.
Jennifer Valko is a USF alumnus and manager of the Office of Orientation at USF.
Editors note: This letter was submitted before Armstrong announced she would leave the team.
More Stories
Meet the Team
Oracle EditorProfile
USF gives it away in Memphis 34-33
At the half, a 14-point lead meant USF was on track to win its first conference game in over a calendar year. That energy was kept up even with under five minutes to go when the Bulls were up 33-20. Then USF watched as its lead went from comfortable, to slim, to nonexistent in the […]
Club teams missing competition, friendship due to COVID-19
Under normal circumstances, Grant Nolder, president of the USF flag football team would be preparing for the club’s biggest competition of the year, the Swamp Bowl. The annual tournament, hosted at UF, typically takes place during the fall semester and features some of the best club flag football teams in the country. Winners of the […]
Bulls battle with ECU in OT win
Coach Brian Gregory said Tuesday the Bulls didn’t play complete, 40-minute games in their two losses last week. It’s debatable if they did Wednesday night against East Carolina (11-18, 5-11) at the Yuengling Center, but it was more than enough to put up a 73-68 overtime win. “It’s funny. There were stretches where we played […]
First SG scholarship rewards student leaders
Student Government (SG) launched the first-of-its-kind, merit-based scholarship to students Nov. 5 on USF’s Tampa campus. As a part of Student Body President Britney Deas and Student Body Vice President Travis McCloskey’s platform, Bull S.H.I.F.T., — Success, Health, Innovation, Finance and Tradition — the SG’s Student Leadership Scholarship consists of two merit-based scholarships which will […]
On-campus Jabil institute sparks anticipation from students
A plan drafted on a bar napkin two years ago has now become the USF Jabil Innovation Institute, a multi-million dollar institute combining the College of Engineering and the Muma College of Business. Senior Vice President of Advancement and CEO of the USF Foundation Joel Momberg and Jabil CEO Mark Mondello jotted the idea down […]