Enjoy The Cricket World Cup, Don't Bring In Religion & Politics
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
17 October
2023
Call it an
irony or a coincidence of sorts, the ongoing Cricket World Cup is taking place
along with two raging wars: Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine. While the
cardinal objective of sports is to unite and create an atmosphere of cordiality
and bonhomie, that liberating spirit is conspicuously absent in the World Cup
thus far.
A Pakistani
cricketer dedicated his century to his 'brothers' and 'sisters' in the Gaza
strip a few days ago. Indian spectators came with the slogans of solidarity
with Israel as we witnessed at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad where India
and Pakistan clashed. India defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets and the matter
should have been ended there. Wins and losses are integral to sports. But some
brainless Indians used India's triumph to condemn Pakistan.
Israel's
Ambassador sarcastically tweeted that Pakistan won't be able to dedicate its
win to Palestine. What's this? Are we playing or quarrelling? Every time a
match between India and Pakistan takes place, we make it a Dharm Ki Ladai
(Battle of Religion/s).
A match is
a match. It's not a Jung (War). Without understanding the byzantine
intricacies of Palestine and Israel conflicts for centuries, the Hindus are
clearly and categorically condemning and abusing Hamas and all Muslims.
Muslims
across the world are also casting opprobrium on Israel. Otherwise also, a
general Muslim cannot eat a morsel unless he/she condemns all Jewish people and
Israel all the time. It's a de rigueur practice, nay spirit, for all Muslims
regardless of their denominational allegiance.
Castigating
Zionist Jews and Israel proves a Muslim's loyalty to Muhammad, Quran and Allah.
It's his/her daily prayer! Those who chanted ' Pakistan, Palestine Aur Islam
Murdabad ' (this happened in Poona and other parts of the country) after
India's win over Pakistan in a World Cup match, should know that India always
supported Palestine.
Congress
and Mrs Indira Gandhi fully supported Palestine's demand for
self-determination. Yasser Arafat called Mrs Gandhi, his sister. Even the current
government is not openly against Palestine, though it supports Israel's stand
on its self-defence.
When things
are so complex and inscrutable, it's better for the ill-informed masses to stay
away from the ongoing religion and politics in West Asia. Hamas is a terrorist
organization like the erstwhile Zionist paramilitary organization Irgun or
Etzel.
Fanatics
and terrorists of all faiths are having a field day. Remember, zealotry has no
place in a civilized world. But are we civilized is a million-dollar question.
The way Hamas massacred and abducted hostages and Israel bombarded the entire
strip, it appears that we're terribly violent. Three Ts, Territory, Theology
and Terrorism, have pummelled mankind and will continue to pulverise unless we
kick away all bogus faiths and their scriptures once and for all. At the
moment, the followers of all three Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and
Islam, must introspect and ask themselves, should they follow their flawed
Books and the prophecies therein? Enjoy cricket matches, empathise with the
sufferers, don't spread hatred and venom and stop wasting your time and energy
on the putrid bilge called god, religion and politics. We've had enough of
them.
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in
comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed
articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including
Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/cricket-world-cup-religion-politics/d/130914
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