Adil Najam
This picture is interesting at so many levels.
The official caption reads: “Pakistanplayers pray after winning the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 round two group stage match between Sri Lanka and Pakistanat Manuka Oval on March 9, 2009 in Canberra, Australia.”
What should one comment on? The achievement of the Pakistan women’s cricket (we have written earlier about Urooj Mumtaz Khan, who was again instrumental in this victory). The significance of the women’s team’s achievement when the men’s team is in doldrums. The fact that this was against Sri Lanka, given the horrible incidents of last week. Or just the gesture of gratitude and prayer (and whether this was synchronized for the cameras or spontaneous!).
I will leave the commenting to our readers.
I put this up, because seeing the picture I felt good at the news. Felt good for our womens’ team. And felt good that at least there is some hope for Pakistan cricket. Most of all, because I think its a great picture.
Doesn’t Islam tell us how to dress? What to eat? Islam tells us how to live our life because it is a complete code of life. Then there is truly no room for debate and no criticism to what I just said. Criticizing for the sake of criticizing will not get us anywhere. We need to do whats right. Criticizing for the sake of guidance is what I am looking for.
From your response it is apparent that you are supporting a secularist way instead of a muslim one. Shouldn’t women cover up in front of strange men? Is this not what Allah says in Surah An Noor V31 and Surah Al Ahzab V 59? I am not quoting out of context or quoting in isolation. This is Allah’s Command. So what are we going to debate about?
You are using your own intellect to say what is modest and what is immodest. If that is the case then your methodology to start with is flawed. Because we have to put the Quran and Sunnah first. Judge your response in the light of the Quran and Sunnah and maybe things will be clearer. Wallah u alam
My email is available if you have questions/concerns.
What some women want to do, they are abslolutely free to do, and if an American gym wants to offer them a women-only time slot for it, great.
You have the same right to ‘think’ what is God’s command and to your interpretation of religion, as any body and every body else’s. Your interpretation is as open to criticism as is mine.
The moment you encroach on my right in this or any other regard, in matters of religion, choosing or not choosing religion, interpreting religion, what to wear, or eat etc. I’ll let you know, in unambiguous terms., like I just did. I am sure so would these girls if they were part of the discussion here… but they are not. Without them being able to speak for themselves all I can say is what I can see, which is that they are amply modestly dressed (only relevant since there may be a fair assumption of them being muslim…. though not of a right for others to pass judgement) and are performing the muslim sajjida. I see nothing to debate here, and everything to celebrate.
If you wish to debate interpretation of religion here, write a couple of volumes, at least, and I, if so inclined, might respond with a couple of my own. Anything less will be so inadequate as to be completely pointless. Interpretation of isloated parts is also pointless, if the interpretation of the whole is not discussed (requiring a few volumes, if done to a scholarly standard. Is there any other?).
I dont understand why Islam is fastly growing in USA? I dont understand why muslim women here in the West cover up when they want to play sports. So much so that a gym here just put together a specific time for women who are muslims and want to preserve their modesty by following the Command of Allah. I dont understand why when someone puts on a beard he is called a maulvi. Instead of calling him a muslim he is labelled and shunned and ridiculed. If he says something that Allah and His Messenger have commanded he is made of fun of. I demand an answer from you and proof for what you are saying.
Nostalgic, just watch some of them here ‘cringing and gnashing their teeth’, and enjoy ;-)
What do these perverts know about honour and human dignity. These cowards are so insecure in themselves that they can never appreciate the wonderful courage shown by these young, talented Pakistani girls, a lot of them very young, in defying the sick, antagonistic mentality, hurdles and lack of opportunities at home to go and do their very best at the international level. They have our greatest affection and deserve a lot of respect. Here’s wishing them the very best.
Assalam o alaykum. I am appalled at this picture. Women must be covered in hijab. Not showing their awrah to strangers, in this case to the world. This is not right.
Here are a few points of clarification:
I have first hand knowledge that the photo was a spontaneous reaction and not ’staged’ for the cameras. For those who are not following each minute of every Pakistan match in the ICC Womens World Cup 2009 in Australia, here is more evidence. Please go to Getty Images and search for other Pakistan Womens vs Sri Lanka Womens ICC World Cup Cricket match photographs. You will see that this is one in a series of shots immediately after the victory. Pay close attention to the women carrying their stumps and rejoicing in their first major international victory, right after the last dismissal.
Regarding celebration of a victory by kneeling in prostration, why has an assumption been made that this is limited to Muslims? Many sportsmen and women around the world make similar gestures of faith. Check your religious reference books and you will see followers of modern and ancient religions prostration.
In response to another post suggesting prostration was only appropriate in a mosque: Yes, the entire team is Muslim and again I personally know that most of the team members pray five times a day. There is no Islamic law prohibiting prayer outside on grass, or a sudden urge to show your faith. If the team wishes to offer a dua or prostrate to show their faith then who are we to question this? Lastly, how many mosques in Pakistan would allow a female to enter a mosque in prayer if she wished to do so?
Yes, well done again girls! Apart from Arman, the medium-pacer Almas Akram did really well… I think she bowled seven overs for seven runs and three wickets…
And I do hope all the maulvis are watching… watching helplessly and cringing and gnashing their teeth…
Congratulations team Pakistan! We love you! Take that Taliban, appeasers, Quislings, and Marathon wreckers! Power to the wonderful women of Pakistan! Shame on those men who wouldn’t stand by their women… their fellow humans and compatriots! Will we continue to ignore the girls of Swat? Lets do something, please. If a brave girl from Chaghi can do wonders in far away Sydney, surely we can do our duty in Pakistan.