Sport and political transition in Tunisia: Another terrain of competition between Islamists and seculars

Abstract

This chapter reports on a research project that focused on how policy makers perceived and responded to the sporting needs of Muslim communities in Norway. A unique trait of Norwegian sport policy is that sport organizations are volunteer based. The amount of voluntary work conducted in Norwegian sports is estimated to be NOK 8 billion. When discussing the role of sport organizations in the integration process, the message is mixed. At one level, the representatives talk about the importance of giving ethnic minorities real influence in the sport organizations for example, by becoming board members. When asked specifically about Islamic guidelines for sport practice or cooperation with religious organizations, different opinions and experiences are expressed. Norway seems more reluctant to accept gender segregation as part of the sport and integration policy. One effect of the sport and integration discourse in Norway is a restrictive policy concerning the financing and establishment of minority clubs.