Just not cricket…
Seems that now even cricket (at least Pakistani cricket) is not beyond the pale of Islam.
Amongst the headlines yesterday (here and here) was the news that Bob Woolmer’s murder may have been linked to his displeasure with a large number of the Pakistani team players being followers of Tablighi Jamaat (and consequently paying less attention to their fitness regime, preparations and the game than he would have liked).
The rediff story mentioned that:
“…the Pakistan coach was unhappy with the time spent by the players on prayers. According to Mir, Woolmer felt players were focusing more on religion than their game. He went on to claim that Woolmer could have even invited a fatwah had he gone public with his feelings.
…Mir said Woolmer had his apprehensions about the players’ dwindling focus on cricket. “He wasn’t particularly pleased when players were going out to say their prayers in the middle of the game… and a substitute was coming in and then again… and this continued. He was totally against it,” he said.
Mir’s observation that Inzamam-ul Haq and his team mates prayed more and played less irked some quarters back home and the media manager had to flee Pakistan after a fatwah was issued against him.
To those of you who may not have heard of the Tablighi Jamaat or wish to know more, I would suggest these few links: “Tablighi Jamaat: Jihad’s Stealthy Legions“, “Islamic missionary group links alleged plotters“ and “Authorities Probe Little-Known Islamic Group’s Alleged Ties to Extremists“.
Several years ago, I had a raging debate with a few friends who argued that cricket was essentially a secular game (even in Pakistan) although there were signs of increasing religious leanings of the Pakistani team…This incident may have changed their perspective a bit.
Read also this interesting story (emphasis mine) which mentions:
“Pakistan cricket players have been advised to strike a balance between religion and cricket….Since last year, the Pakistan team has made it a point to pray in public and hold religious gatherings in team hotels.
Ashraf (Chairman of Pakistan’s Cricket Board) said in a television interview he did not believe there was any connection between Maulvism, ultra orthodox Muslims, and cricket. There is no doubt their religious faith is a motivating factor in the team. It binds them together. But there should be balance between religion and cricket, Ashraf said.”
We all knew that “jihad” against India is one of the leit-motifs of the Pakistani army…It seems that Pakistani cricket team may now have joined this battle.
:-(
