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.
🙁
Shantanu,
We have all been seeing these changes in the Pakistan Cricket camp for a few years now. I remember while talking to a Pakistani Cab driver in London, we got discussing cricket and we started talking about the “good” players from both sides. I mentioned Yousaf Youhanna and he was quick to point out, that “they” didnt trust him because he was a Christian. I found the remark strange, what explained it later was when Yousaf Youhanna converted to Islam and now plays for the same team as Mohammed Yousaf.
We (Indian’s & our Neighbours) are great Hero Worshippers and what better way to preach your religon to the youth and children then via the your great heroes. Hope we see some of our “Hindu” cricketers doing the same.
I am a Hindu and proud to be a Hindu, but we are always shy off showing it off. I remember we discussed this in past, how may hindu’s wear a “Tika” or a “Naam” when we go to work. Very few of us actually do it.
As a group we are ready to display our religious side but as individuals we shy away from it.
I remember a situation once while working in India and my colleague a “Ayyappa” devotee was asked to shave by his “Hindu” manager because ” It did not fit the companys” image. I can only imagine if they would have ever said this to a Muslim employee.
A young muslim boy or girl is taught the Koran and their islamic ways. Even the affluential Muslim class has the Maulvi visiting to teach the young ones. How many Hindu teenagers or children are taught Sanskrit or the Bhagvad Gita. Schools which do teach, are called as “Vernac schools”.
Today parents want to give their children the best education and for them the Convent schools are the first choices. Todays youth are ” taught ” Hinduism by the so called Hindu Political parties and their way of doing this is
by being the Culture Police or by driving away young lovers from beaches & parks.
As Swami Chinmayananda says,
Quote
‘ We must rediscover our religion. Treat it with healthy Manna of our immortal philosophy.Prune its over-crowded and ugly extensions. And through an ardent re-education we must discover a cure for the alien idealism from which
our culture is at the moment suffering. For all this we must rediscover a team of stalwart hearts,educated fully in the divine contents of our scriptures… a team of workers who should go out with a Christian zeal, with a Buddhistic
compassion, and an islamic daring, and spread the right understanding among the people. They must be equipped with a thorough knowledge of the scriptures, a firm moral integrity, an honest faith and a fiery zeal to help the country
rediscover its own head and heart.” Unquote.
very sensible comments Vijay. I have always felt the same way about Hindusim and how Hindus shy away from their religion and gloat over the fact that they are secularists.
I am happy that I am not a lonely soul out there feeling this way.
But the good news is, with such impotent Hindus disowning their own religion and adapting an anemic and secular stance, more and more young convent educated Hindus are fast turning towards hardline Hindutva and Vedas and Sanatan Dharma.
Ultimately everything equilises itself…. such erosion of Hindu faith and weak kneed Hindus of the previous generation have given rise to a dynamic smart street smart hardcore Hindu youth of today. Im sure inspite of the dangers of the society we live in, the future is gonna be good for Sanatan Dharma and its followers.
Very well said Vijay.
Thanks Vijay…great comment…I completely agree with you..
Hinduism has an “image” problem – and it is largely because it is not interepreted and explained correctly…
As you rightly say: ” Todays youth are ” taught ” Hinduism by the so called Hindu Political parties and their way of doing this is by being the Culture Police or by driving away young lovers from beaches & parks” – Such a pity.
I often think we need Swami Vivekananda to be reborn and your comment above illustrates why.
I will comment separately on Swami Chinmayananda’s quote – I think it is highly topical and relevant…most likely needs a separate post.
Thanks for your comemnts too, Indian and DrSurya.