Pakistan asked to keep Religion Private
The new chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board has actually told his players to curb the public display of practicing their religion.
“There is no doubt their religious faith is a motivating factor in the team,” Ashraf told Reuters. “It binds them together. But there should be balance between religion and cricket.” …. “I have told him {Inzamam} clearly that there should be no pressure on players who don’t pray regularly or any compulsion on them to do it.” – Cricinfo
Is this the new form of ‘enlightened moderation’, that the President of Pakistan and his appointed henchman Nasim Ashraf choose in an attempt to beat and tame the already bruised cricket team. I personally am not the perfect Muslim on the block, and neither belong to a fanatic religion organisation, but seriously feel proud of a team that is united with a strong religious bond and see no reason to intervene in their religious activities, even if they choose to pray bajamat openly on the field during a lunch break in England. (which happens to be the reason why this issue is being raised)
I squirm at the thought that one fine day Nasim Ashraf will start objecting to their beards and soon at flimsy objection from the ICC may ban the Sijda Muslims do in celebration.
I object
Story Links: Adnan Siddiqi, Jang & Cricinfo
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This Nasim Ashraf is an idiot. Who he thinks he is making comments like that.
*grin*
First of all I take it as an attack on freedom of religious practise. Many people who preach secularism Should keep this thing in mind that secularism which they follow doesn’t impose any ban on religion practise. We do know well what kind of message PCB chairman is trying to send to outerworld. The world didn’t have any issue when Yousuf used to make cross on chest after every 50 and 100.
I dont understand what kind of disbalance Nasim observes in current team. Do they stop the game and pray the Fard Namaz? do they ask teams that they wouldnt play because they are in Ramadan? offcourse Not. Nasim is being another Ignorant who never uses his own brain and follow what a master asks him to do so. I already mention in my post which you have linked that I would rather take it as a Postive move for those players and offcourse for the religion.
Last but not least,
As a Muslim and a citizen of Islamic Republic of Pakistan
I object
I respect your point of view and agree with it. Even if these were team of 90% christians and 10% muslims then they are free to make cross on their chest. Its all about keeping morale high.
[...] I should thank Adnan Siddiqi’s blog (here) for first alerting me to this brewing controversy. Since then I have tried to keep a tab on this issue. Today, Teeth Maestro also has a commentary on his blog (here). My own views on this stem from the very same logic that had influenced my views on the story about Habib Bank requiring employees to trim their beards which I had commented on in the very earliest weeks on this blog (here). The parallels between the two are strikingly similar, but so are the principles: [...]
Interesting post. I heard about this, but haven’t posted my comments on my blog.
Why did Habib bank ask people to trim their beards?
So are the comments by Nasim Ashraf causing some discontent in Pakistan?
[...] I support Teeth Maestro and object to this move by the PCB chairman. [...]
this is really stupid. i cant believe the PCB has asked them to keep religion private. this sort of thing never happened to me in london when i was working as a charity fund raiser. there was a time when i had to pray on a patch of grass near the old street station and all my co workers and some other people actually applauded me for that when i was done. mind u they were white people and not asians. they had a lot of respect for a person who chose to stick to his religious beliefs. yes this was after the 7/7 attacks. if the west does not have a problem with people who follow their religion they why should the PCB care. there is nothing wrong with praying in the open. everyone should be allowed to follow their religion easily and not stopped from expressing themselves. what an idiot.
I too object!
I object too. I did not know a place where I could register my protest so here it is. What a shame. Just like the veil controversy in England this too is not neccesary. Before making this comment Nasim Ashraf should have shaved off his beard, and shown himself in his true colors. Is praying an issue in cricket? Another lost leader
I support your objection.
Naseem Ashraf, How dare u B. ? :-)
Let’s kick his behind by shaving his beared and head….and order Bob Wolmer to pick one — a Shara’ee Darhee or shittle cock Burqa. These measures are needed as team needs to travel to peshawar for net practice.
I object in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful,
Those who never prayed doesn’t know what peace of mind their is in Salah.
Those who are ashamed of being Muslims should say “We believe tht their is no God and no religion.”
When our Cricket team was moving towards “Pornography” during the Captainship of Imran Khan, no one objected.
Now when Alhamdolilah, our Cricket team is on their way towards Islam, these people of power can’t sit with peace.
I said before and i am gonna say it again:
You are a Hypocrite Chairman,
You don’t know who you are,
You don’t know what you are,
You are what “Secular” Schools taught you,
You are the servent of your pleasures,
You are ashamed of submitting yourselves to Allah,
You are ashamed of following God’s Commandments,
Peace to all
[...] deserve answers, Nasim Ashraf has been stepping on toes ever since he took office, to the extent of warning “I have told him {Inzamam} clearly that there should be no pressure on players who dont pray [...]
[...] is not new, as of last October our bearded so-called Muslim PCB Chairman pulled Inzamam over and scolded him for leading the team down the path of religion and praying on the field (last year ECB complained [...]
Do you know how can a player be able to play and fast at the same time in ramadhan?
Leave this islam man….its impractical in today’s term, its a man made thingy, u dont need it to survive…u r better off without it.
[Now when Alhamdolilah, our Cricket team is on their way towards Islam, these people of power cant sit with peace.]
Has Islam/allah/salat helped pakistan cricket team?..they are lagging behind hindu india/bhudist sri lanka in the ratings?….so what is your point? why bring religion to cricket?
well it’s really shameful act by PCB chairman,he is just inviting the wrath of GOD on himself,instead of encouraging the young men,he is asking them to do so in closed doors,he is just a mental retard,he should be penalised on these harsh remarks,we r proud of being Muslims and feel no disgrace in offering our prayers opnely,and whosoever does,i doubt on his being a true Muslim at heart.