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.
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…