'Pakistan–India Cricket Series likely in 2014'
Posted by Indian Muslim Observer | 11 October 2013 | Posted in Foreign, India, Muslim Nations, Sports
Great news for Cricket lovers across the world. Najam Sethi, interim Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has expressed confidence that a bilateral series with India could be held next year.
"I have got assurances that next year we could have a bilateral but for this year this is not on our agenda with India," Sethi told the media during the logo unveiling ceremony of the Pakistan and South Africa series in the UAE. He said he planned to visit India soon to start discussions with the Indian cricket officials for a bilateral series.
Sethi said Pakistan had been told by the government to lay stress on convincing international teams to tour Pakistan, and a bilateral series with India was high on this agenda.
"We also realize that revival of international cricket is very important for us and we have already started working on those lines and we are also working out plans for our premier league next year," Sethi said. "Everyone knows that even cricket ties with India are dictated to by the political relations between the two countries and I am confident we might see a bilateral series next year," he said.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister and Cricket enthusiast Shahbaz Sharif, commented: "We will prove to the world that under the current circumstances the country is quite capable of holding international events and I will ask the PCB to immediately invite any international team to Pakistan.
"We will provide all kind of security to our distinguished visiting team," Sharif said. "Pakistan is in dire need of international cricket events, so the PCB should launch full efforts," he added.
India has not played a full bilateral series with Pakistan since 2007 although it invited Pakistan for a short series in India last December.
Determined to re-build cricket relations with neighbouring India, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hoping to persuade the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) to host a tri-series later this year when the officials from the two Boards will meet during an Asian Cricket Council conference.
"There is a strong chance that the BCCI might propose to have a tri-series sometime in December in India with Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the PCB is ready to accept this invitation," one source said candidly.
These developments are like “fresh breeze” to cricket lovers across the world.
[Rohail Khan, Canadian-Pakistani, is a senior banker, media advisor, social activist, and philanthropist. He can be reached at: rohailkhan00@gmail.com]
Fatwa on Muslim athletes a bad call, says Khairy
Posted by Indian Muslim Observer | 11 August 2013 | Posted in Fatwa, Foreign, Photo Gallery, Sports, Women
Kuala Lumpur: Putrajaya will not agree to a fatwa keeping Muslim women out of certain competitive sports, minister Khairy Jamaluddin assured athletes and sports officials today after the National Fatwa Council (NFC) proposed the idea.
Yesterday Penang Mufti Hassan Ahmad was quoted as saying the NFC may ban Muslim women from certain sports events such as swimming and competitive gymnastics as it would expose their "aurat", on the heels of a similar fatwa on beauty pageants that recently sparked a storm over the Miss Malaysia World 2013 contest.
"I don't think this is a good idea at all. Sporting competitions are different from beauty contests. I would object to any banning of sporting events," Khairy told The Malay Mail Online in a text message.
The issue would be raised at the NFC's three-day committee meeting in September.
The news of a possible ban has sparked an uproar among sports officials with some arguing that such a move would "kill" the only few sporting events in which Malaysia excel.
Others have pointed out that a fatwa against Muslim women in gymnastics and swimming could lead to future bans in other sporting events.
"In gymnastics, most of them are already wearing leotards. Some international federations are relaxed with the attire of the contestants but some insist they have to wear a certain attire like beach volleyball.
"There’s netball, hockey and also athletics (where athletes wear short skirts or tight fitting attire). I hope the powers-that-be will be able to clear the air and state their intention. In Iran, there’s a women-only tournament while sports manufacturers can come up with suitable attire if clothing is an issue," said Olympic Council of Malaysia secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi.
“The council should think such matters thoroughly. One cannot say this can be done or that cannot be done without justification," he added.
Conservative Islamic scholars adhere to a strict dress code for Muslims, forbidding them from displaying certain parts of their body, or aurat, while in public. For women, this includes the hair and most of the rest of her body while for men, it is generally from the navel to the knees.
Other Muslim scholars preach a more pragmatic approach on the application of Islamic law on a person's dress code.
Khairy's position on the matter could also highlight the concerns raise by a Muslim women group over the binding powers of such fatwas.
Sisters in Islam (SIS) had recently suggested that fatwa be deliberated by a legislative body before they are made binding on Muslims after it deemed the current procedure “un-Islamic and undemocratic”.
SIS condemned the dropping of four Muslim candidates from the Miss Malaysia World 2013 contest because they purportedly violated a 1996 fatwa, which deems Muslim participation in beauty pageants sinful.
Their disqualification, the group said, raises concerns on the “over-reach” of a religious edict or fatwa beyond their original intent.
It further said its greatest concern was on the automatic enforcement of fatwa as law without being subjected to stringent scrutiny by a legislative body like Parliament or a state assembly.
After a fatwa is approved by a state executive council and a Sultan, the edict only needs to be gazetted before it is enforced into a religious law.
“It is not tabled for debate in the legislative body Any violation of the fatwa is a criminal offence. Any effort to dispute or to give an opinion contrary to the fatwa is also a criminal offence.
“Such provisions have no basis in the Quran and historical practices of Islam and violate several articles in the Federal Constitution,” the group said.
(Courtesy: TheMalayMailOnline.com)
Bhopal’s Muzaffar Ali decimates big guns to emerge as new champion of Mumbai Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally
Posted by Indian Muslim Observer | 11 July 2013 | Posted in Featured, India, Sports
Bhopal: Muzaffar Ali of Bhopal decimated big guns to emerge as the new champion of the Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally held at Mumbai on Sunday.
Having been placed second last year, the 32-year-old rider Muzaffar went one better, leaving last year’s champion Rustom Patel, and former champions Manjeet Singh Bassan, Avtar Singh and Shamim Khan in the shade as he won the gruelling 25 kms monsoon challenge over the backwoods of Navi Mumbai in 28 minutes, 50 seconds in penalties. He received a cash award of Rs.10,000/- and a trophy.
Another lad from Bhopal Asif Khan riding a Kinetic Honda was adjudged best rider of Bhopal with a timing of 0:39:33 seconds in the Gulf Monsoon Scooter Rally
According to a Press release the Gulf Oil Corporation sponsored and Sportscraft-organised event was certainly also difficult riding through water-logged areas but almost all riders went through the exercise rather efficiently.
Naskih’s Shamim Khan (Mahindra Rodeo), who was champion in 2003 and ’04, finished second with 0:29.02 seconds in penalties and Bangalore’s R Natraj (TVS Wego) of TVS Racing was third with 0:29.08 seconds.
Defending champion Rustom Patel (Honda Activa) was fourth and 2011 champion Avtar Singh (Honda Activa) fifth. Four-time champion Bassan, who won in 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, finished sixth.
Astride a Suzuki Access, Muzaffar Ali overcame unyielding conditions and a strong field of 32 riders to emerge triumphant. After the riders started from Our Lady’s Home in Parel on the 35 km transport sector, Ali rode with gay abandon over the dirt tracts on the competitive sector of Navi Mumbai to turn tables on the favourites.
Though it did not rain heavily during the rally, riding on the gravel-laden, slushy course was dicey. The riders had to exercise extreme caution while negotiating the steep inclines and hairpin bends. Practically all of them took a tumble or two and some even damaged their scooters.
Mentioned must be made about Loretta D’Lomen, the only female rider in the fray. She battled over the course, completing the final leg with a flat tyre to finish with a creditable 1:41.47 seconds in penalties.
Dheradhun’s Shradul Sharma, astride a Honda Dio, was adjudged the best first timer and awarded the late Firdosh Vajifdar trophy for his spirited riding. Vikramjit Boparai was adjudged the best Thane-Navi Mumbai rider.
[Pervez Bari is a senior Journalist based at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. He is associated with IndianMuslimObserver.com as Bureau Chief (Madhya Pradesh). He can be contacted at pervezbari@yahoo.co.in]
Dahab's first Egyptian woman divemaster blazes a trail
Posted by Indian Muslim Observer | 27 February 2013 | Posted in Featured, Foreign, Latest News, People, Photo Gallery, Sports, Women
She takes her clients to another world — one in which, as if traveling to outer space, visitors must wear special suits and carry equipment in order to breathe. Humans weren’t built to maneuver in this landscape without assistance.
As a divemaster, Suezett al-Fallal, 27, is responsible for the safety of the tourists she leads to submersion, so must remain hyper-vigilant of their well-being. But when she goes on dives, the glimpses of marine life, the sensation of buoyancy and the quiet of the Red Sea lead her to imagine that she is the only one around.
“I feel a bit alone,” she says.
Fallal, originally from Cairo’s Nasr City district, moved to Dahab last April to realize a dream. “I wanted to be a divemaster at 18,” she says from a cafรฉ overlooking the Red Sea and a not-too-distant Saudi Arabia. “It was my first target as a job.”
While plenty of Egyptian men and foreigners of both sexes work in Dahab’s numerous dive shops, taking the town’s visitors to its famed dive sites, Fallal represents something new to the scene. She is Dahab’s first resident Egyptian, or even Arab, veiled woman divemaster.
Hamdy Anan, co-owner of Shams Dive Center — one of the five dive centers where Fallal works — oversaw her three-month training to become a licensed divemaster.
Anan, 33 and originally from the Delta city of Mahalla, has seen Dahab slowly develop into the international diving hub it is today. Reflecting on the 17 years he has lived here, he says, “For [this] long period of time ... [there was] no Egyptian female diver.”
Fallal is initially hesitant to be interviewed by Egypt Independent, saying she does not believe that being Dahab’s first Egyptian woman divemaster is worthy of a profile.
“I’m not Baumgartner, who jumped out of outer space,” she says, referring to the Austrian man who recently broke the sound barrier on a 39-km skydive to earth.
“Wallahi (I swear to God), I’m doing this for people who might read it,” she says, justifying her decision. “Maybe a girl will read it and [decide to] do something that she really likes, and someone who thinks negatively about Muslims will read it and change his mind.”
She admits she faced several obstacles in pursuing her ambition. “It’s hard for Egyptian women to travel and live on their own,” she explains. “If you move to a place like Dahab, where there are no [Egyptian] women, people will judge you.”
Her tone exudes a confidence in that tricky business of defying conventions. There is also the factor of physical strength and stamina necessary for diving. “It’s heavy-duty stuff,” Fallal says.
She talks about having to carry not just her own nine-and-a-half-kilogram air tank, but also that of a customer who was unable to carry her own. Fallal is no stranger to rigorous activity. She was a personal trainer at several gyms in Cairo before moving to Dahab. She was also an assistant coach of parachuting at a club organized by the Egyptian military.
But personal training and parachuting are only part of her story. Fallal also has a degree in cinematography, and has worked as a stylist and camera assistant in the film industry. She left that field due to her personal convictions.
Fallal says the film industry does not use its potential to affect society in a positive way. “In Egypt, not a lot of people read,” she says. “They watch movies.” She ultimately left because she felt it “use[s] women to degrade women. ... It’s against my religion and against my principles.”
Fallal became a devout Muslim four years ago. She keeps her hair, arms and legs covered, even as she braves the Sinai desert heat on her bicycle, with an overstuffed bag strapped to her back. When underwater, she dons a wetsuit that allows for the same level of coverage.
“I’m a feminist,” Fallal says, adding that she finds inspiration from the women of Islamic history.
Some of her European clientele have questions about Arab women and Islam. Fallal takes advantage of these moments to explain her culture. “If people ask about deen (religion) or hijab (veil), I answer,” she says, “and I think I am doing something good for my religion — not on a big scale, but I’m making a difference.”
Fallal still has many more goals she hopes to achieve, including becoming a dive instructor and opening her own dive center, becoming an underwater photographer and even learning to sew so she can design and make her own clothes.
For now, she is still settling into Dahab and its diving culture. Fallal says she has found support and acceptance over time. As for her relationship with the other divers in town, she says, “I’m like their little sister.”
And when preparing for her next dive, like Baumgartner, she must gear up before entering an atmosphere for which humans were not made. “I love it,” she says. “It’s addictive.”
(Courtesy: Egypt Independent)
From a tent in Mumbai's Azad Maidan, a cricket star rises
Posted by Indian Muslim Observer | 02 February 2013 | Posted in Featured, India, Latest News, People, Photo Gallery, Sports
New Delhi: Two years ago, when Adeeb Usmani's family left Mumbai for their village near Azamgarh, the 13-year-old stayed back; he wanted to be a cricketer. He was alone in the big city, and his father could give him no money, so Adeeb made a tent in Azad Maidan his home, and his coach Naushad Khan his life's anchor.
In the under-16 Vijay Merchant tournament that ended on Monday, the opener-wicketkeeper played consistently well, helping Mumbai to the title. His 366 runs from five matches up to the final included a century and a 77 in the semifinal against Punjab; in the final, he scored 54 in the first innings.
"My father had a hotel in Dharavi but he suffered huge losses. So he had to move to UP. Naushad sir helped me get a place in the tent at Azad Maidan. Whatever I am today is because of him," young Adeeb told The Indian Express on the sidelines of the final against Delhi.
Adeeb has his meals at a small restaurant an uncle of his has near Azad Maidan. "Naushad sir spoke to him and he agreed to give me food. But he has no interest in cricket," Adeeb said. He said his father doesn't keep well; he calls home regularly, but hasn't had the chance to visit his village.
Adeeb studies in class 10 at Anjuman Islamia, where cricket helped him get admission. Mumbai U-16 coach Vinod Raghavan said he was "an upcoming prospect".
Adeeb hasn't told his parents he lives in a tent. "I tell them I live in a room, so they feel I am secure. Otherwise, they will call me back to the village."
Adeeb himself doesn't mind the tent, pitched in a park that has nurtured generations of cricketers. "The tent is a happy place for me. I have lots of memories attached to it."
(Courtesy: The Indian Express)
Cricket Muslim Slur Sparks Australia Uproar
Posted by Indian Muslim Observer | 11 November 2012 | Posted in Foreign, Islamophobia, Latest News, Sports
“There is absolutely no place for racism in sport on or off the field,” a spokesman for Cricket Australia (CA) told the Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday, November 11.
“We’re fully supportive of the ICC’s anti-racism policy on cricket.”
The controversy sparked during a test game between Australia and South Africa on Friday after former Queensland cricketer Greg Ritchie made racist remarks against Muslims.
“Just this morning I had to try and stop three little Muslim boys trying to break the lock on my car boot,” Ritchie said at a Brisbane Test luncheon.
“I had to say, 'Shut up! You're in there for a reason!'“
The former cricketer also used the forbidden racist “k-word” during the speech to describe Muslims.
“Hey Kepler, you're not going to call this lot kaffirs today, are you,” he said, in reference to his former teammate Kepler Wessels, who during the 1980s could not play for his native South Africa due to their international ban.
Despite criticisms, Ritchie declined to refuse for the racist remarks.
“I've got nothing against the Muslim people,” Ritchie was quoted as saying by Fairfax.
“That's a joke that I use, and I'll continue to use it. It's just a little humorous joke to indicate that they're not my favorite people of my choice. If they take offence that's their choice.”
He also defended himself against accusations of racism by using the word “kaffir”
“It's a joke I've used 500 times,” Ritchie said.
“It's a reference to us playing against the West Indies [in a match for Queensland against the West Indies in 1980] and I say to him 'You wouldn't use that word against these guys would you?'. I am not saying that Kepler said that word at all.
“It is to emphasize the fear I had playing against the West Indies. It is a shocking term and it relays the great fear that we all had about facing the West Indies bowling.
“It's disappointing to think this has become an issue. I do a lot of public speaking around the world and I tell the story all the time.”
Despicable
The racist remarks also drew fire from South Africa’s Muslim team manager, Mohammed Moosajee.
“If that is what was uttered, it is both disappointing and despicable for someone to make these racist comments,” he told the Sunday Times.
“Racism has no place in society and in sport.”
Former cricket player Wessels also threatened a legal action against the former batsman.
“That’s a disgraceful, offensive and libellous comment to make,” Wessels said.
“It’s certainly not what I’m about and everyone who knows me will know that. I have no idea what he might be referring to. I haven’t even spoken to him since the early ‘80s.”
The racial comments are not the first to be made by the former cricketer.
He had made offensive remarks about Muslim-majority Pakistan and its former cricket captain Imran Khan.
“There’s a place in Pakistan called Lahore. There weren’t many of them (w*****) around when we were there in 1982, I can tell you.”
About Imran, he said: “He’s an absolute knob is Imran Khan, that’s the only way to describe him.”
Trying to wind up the uproar, Cricket Australia said that Ritchie was not welcome at Australian cricket grounds until further notice.
“Cricket Australia is of the view that it's not appropriate for Greg to be at our cricket venues at this time,” he said.
A senior official from Cricket Australia has contacted the former cricketer, who has confirmed the content of that speech.
“We've made it clear that his comments were absolutely unacceptable,” the official said.
“We're going to take the opportunity to write to all our states and venues to remind them of the obligations under the ICC anti-racism policy in terms of speakers and what they should be advising speakers at their venues.”
(Courtesy: OnIslam.net)
Pakistan’s Islamic cricket: Mixing religion with the Sport
Posted by Indian Muslim Observer | 25 October 2012 | Posted in Featured, Foreign, Islam, Islamic Dawah, Latest News, Photo Gallery, Sports
The country, that has been in an existential crisis since its inception and yet to come to terms with its ideology and purpose, is leaning more and more towards rabid religiosity to find answers and Pakistan Cricket, being part of the same country and society, is no exception to this phenomenon. From the beginning of this millennium, there have been increasing and constant incidents of enforced religiosity in the team, a development which has been noted by and frowned upon by the Pakistan Cricket Board, but to little avail.
Pakistan Cricket officials have confirmed the connection between Tableeghi Jamaat and Pakistani Cricketers and have on occasions showed their reservations too. A close study of media reports, reaction of PCB officials and PCB statements reveal that the board was not too bothered with this religious infiltration at the start with the belief that this might bring discipline to the team. However, with time they realised that this was counter productive, was resulting in more factions in the team and was a cause for poor performance. When they tried to intervene, they were probably too late.
According to Pakistan daily Dawn’s Nadeem F Paracha, during Inzimam’s tenure as side’s captain, Tableeghi Jamaat enjoyed strongest influence in Pakistan Cricket. Cricketers instead of sticking to the nets for practice, were regularly assembled and lectured to by Tablighi Jamaat members including speeches by Junaid Jamshed, who went on record saying he wanted to convert late coach Bob Woolmer. Other members like Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Yasser Hamid, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Salman Butt had, at one time, grown beards or at least stubbles to impress Inzy. And Yousuf Yohanna aka Mohammad Yousuf apparently tried to proselytize New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori.
“Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer’s authority was undermined by captain Inzamam-ul-Haq’s ‘spiritual hold of the team.The more serious issue was that Inzamam was not only the cricketing leader but the spiritual talisman of the team who expected – and was mostly given – total obeisance by his team-mates. Inzamam would go into a “brooding silence” for days after disagreements with Briton Woolmer.” the former Pakistan Cricket Board chairperson Shaharyar Khan said.
“Younis twice stepped down from the captaincy last year with player unrest against his leadership the underlying cause both times.” wrote Osman Samiuddin after Yousaf Youhana was axed from the team. The problem which this Tableeghi gang had with Younis Khan was one: he did not bow down to their religious exhibitionism. It is widely believed that Inzimam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana, in the presence of Tariq Jameel, took an oath from other players on Quran that they will not support Younis Khan as captain of the side.
There is no clear evidence but it is believed by some that the talented Christian, Yousuf Yohanna, had to convert to Islam in modern day Pakistan to be considered for the skipper’s post, however much he may deny that to be the purpose. Although Yousuf denied that anyone forced him to convert it is widely believed that owing to peer pressure and his desire to become the captain made him embrace Islam.
Tableeghi Jamaat is not the only puritan outfit to penetrate the national cricketing squad. Upcoming stars like Umer Akmal, Imran Farhat, Saeed Ajmal and Muhammad Amir have been won over by Dawat-e-Islami (Here is a Youtube link showing Umer Akmal and Saeed Ajmal eulogizing Dawat-e-Islami: http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=Q77KGTpc5ko). Most surprising convert is upcoming star Muhammad Amir who has been accused of spot-fixing recently along Salman Butt and Muhammad Asif. Amir’s sermon at Dawat-e-Islami centre is indeed heart-rendering in view of spot-fixing charges: http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=KhaUX_KwRv0.
Shoaib was said to be disgusted with the nature of Inzimam’s manipulative, religion-driven ways of gaining loyalty from his players, and it is only natural that a personality like Shoaib was bound to feel isolated and persecuted in the morally self-righteous and judgmental make-up and psyche of the Inzimam-led Pakistani cricket team.
If you have read so far, you know a lot to answer this question but for those still not convinced, let’s carry on.
It is widely believed that Tableeghi Jamaat is purely a religious organisation which is completely apolitical and hence considered ‘safe’ even in times when Islamophobia prevails. This exception ticket gets them entry pretty much everywhere without any suspicion. This is exactly what helped them make inroads in Pakistan Cricket without any criticism whatsoever. But are they really safe? Is TJ really apolitical? Do they not have any terror links? Well, lets see…
The point is that religion is not a bad thing, as long as it is personal and motivating a human being to become better. Most players have deep individual faiths or lucky charms, which they turn to for mental support. But a line needs to be drawn between faith practiced in private domain and in public space. Its just that religion does not mix well with Sport or any secular activity for that matter. Assuming that it has not become debatable yet that Sport is a secular activity, I rest my case here.
The last vestiges of male resistance
Posted by Indian Muslim Observer | 18 September 2012 | Posted in Featured, Latest News, Photo Gallery, Sports, Women
Bhopal Special Olympics: Disabled & Deformed Bhopal Gas Victims’ Kids Shame Dow Co. & Britons
Posted by Indian Muslim Observer | 08 August 2012 | Posted in Featured, Human Rights, India, Latest News, Photo Gallery, Sports