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religion

Religion and politics

last year, mid-March

“You wouldn’t normally associate cricket with Catholics,” he said after a training session at the Aga Khan ground this week. “It’s more a protestant sport in Northern Ireland. There were always British army troops based in Northern Ireland and Strabane and, perhaps, they would’ve brought it with them. But it’s always had an affection with the locals and it’s been played by all traditions in Strabane.”

That’s what Peter Gillespie, the Ireland allrounder, told me in Nairobi in February. So it was interesting to read this post from an Ireland blogger about his country beating Pakistan and what ramifications it might have.

To a Pakistani, Ireland beating their national team must be a bit like San Marino beating Brazil in soccer. Our national soccer coach was nearly flayed alive (metaphorically) by soccer pundits for nearly drawing against San Marino a few months ago, so I can only imagine what the depth of feeling was in Pakistan when the result came through. That said, our soccer team manager is still alive.. The death of Bob Woolmer in some way underlies the personal emotional turmoil involved when a good team struggles at the top grade.

For Ireland, to have such a success in such an unexpected sport can only be a good thing. It’s quite likely we have a wealth of cricketing talent in the country, as one of our more popular games - hurling - demands very similar skills to cricket. Also, we are beginning to see an easing of the unwritten laws that divided many sports into “Protestant” and “Catholic” games. Such a de-politicisation of sport is very welcome.

“Cricket helped me see the world,” Gillespie said, “but it also helped me see a new outlook - especially growing through a lot of turmoil in Northern Ireland and our town. Cricket was a get-out clause. I was able to get to know all types of different people, backgrounds and religions and it helped me broaden my outlook in general.”

Can cricket, or sport, really depoliticise communities or countries? Recent history has shown cricket, more than most other sports, acts as a victim of politics (last World Cup; Eng/Zim). When has it been the damp cloth, dousing political hot fires? Sorry for the metaphor.

Pakistan and India are a case in point: very nearly at war with one another off the pitch, and definitely in battle when they play cricket. Anyway, just some thoughts. Up the Irish, and all that.

Osmanless in England

2 years ago, mid-July

We were hoping and expecting to have Osman Samiuddin, Cricinfo’s Pakistan editor, over here for their tour of England. But the visa people, in their utter ignorance and stupidity, have for whatever reason denied him entry (or it’s been delayed, or whatever). Ridiculous. Sid’s covering for him instead. In the meantime, have a read of an article Osman wrote for this year’s Almanack about the significance of religion in Pakistani cricket, which I mentioned earlier.

No, not cricket - Allah

3 years ago, mid-November

Blogged this on the Surfer earlier, and wanted to put it here too. It really is worth reading or listening:

In this week’s From Our Own Correspondent, Owen Bennett-Jones - who was formerly BBC’s “Man in Pakistan” - talks about the intensity and passion of cricket in Pakistan. But, more interestingly is he found someone who doesn’t like the game:

Dancing, listening to music and watching television were all wrong, he said.

I tried to find a chink in the armour and said: “Ah well, as a Pakistani you must at least love cricket?”

“Cricket?” He raised his eyes to the heavens.

“Why all this cricket, cricket, cricket? Don’t people realise they are wasting their time? People should think of Allah, not cricket.”

Listen to it here (MP3 - starts at about 22mins 40secs) or read it here.

I found it fascinating, but then I find anything vaguely interesting.

Love Thy Cricket…

3 years ago, at the end of March

Amusing title to a new cricket blog, Love Thy Cricket - if I was less tired, I’d write about the near-fanatical/religious status Cricket has reached in some parts of the world.. He says: “I salute those who gave us this great game. Thank you” so there.

South Africa’s Hashim Amla

4 years ago, mid-December

I couldn’t beleive this when I heard it. Hashim Amla, young 21 year old Saffer and a devout muslim, won’t and doesn’t wear the SA shirt sponsored by Castle Lager because it’s against his religious beliefs. (the tee-total bit I suppose). I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anything like this before, certainly not in cricket. Presumabely if Castle are the team’s main sponsors, they’ll pay for lots of perks and give the players odds and sods (like Vodafone do for England, and 3 do for Australia). I presume any perks offered to Amla will be politely refused, even if it’s non-beer-related….

Weird world we live in