Krav Maga is indeed a good martial art, it is very practical and was designed by a Jewish boxer and wrestler from street fighting techniques to defend Jews in fascist controlled Bratislava. It is also very brutal and well known for its no mercy counter attacks to weak areas such as the groin and jaw, as well as training in both preemptive and counter attacking as soon as possible to neutralize a threat, all of which is very effective in real life. It works for people of all sizes as well, my trainer is a short lightly built guy and can easily outmatch me, a much larger person, any day.

But yes, I suspect were a Muslim to use it against an attacker there would be uproar from some quarters… and personally, while I am trained in Krav Maga I like the more ‘traditional’ arts for their grace and fluid movements, Silat being my art of choice.

However, I would advise everyone, not just Muslims, to learn about preparedness in the face of the worst, you never know what may happen. I have a blog dedicated to it if anyone is interested.

Jack

@Isa: Ah, but there’s the conundrum, you see. If the girl practiced martial arts and soundly defeated the bullies, they would cry victim and the tabloids will have one hell of a field day displaying this “MUSLAMIC NAKED AGGRESSION” thingy.

Quite a pickle, I say.

Isa, “Caucasian people” is ambiguous in this context. You could have meant people from the Caucasus; you could have meant white people; neither of these is coterminous with either Muslim or non- Muslim.

As for martial arts, there are many systems and many instructors of each one. A person expecting to be exposed to custodial situations (mental hospitals, juvy detention) will need one depending largely on holds and throws, while someone who is going to be exposed to street violence from adults needs to know techniques that will disarm, disable, or even maim and kill. I don’t advise teaching the latter until majority or emancipation, whichever is first.

The physique, condition, and temperament of the person being taught must also be taken into account. Certain martial arts even have special techniques for women. I add that a well-taught martial arts class which includes a variety of people actually promotes harmony, as the formalized. Release of ritual aggression leaves the participants well at ease and kindly disposed to each other. But every such class must be closely supervised and firmly, but fairly, disciplined to avoid the risk of more harm than good.

Why attack someone who is defenseless? Why attack someone who has no vendetta against you?