Daily Times

During our school days, an interesting chapter called ‘Spreading of Islam in the sub-continent’ was included in Pakistan studies. While reading the topic, I understood that how inspiring Islamic saints were who, with their teachings, attracted millions of people to Islam. Similarly, in our Sunday school lessons, we were taught about God’s love, humility, and forbearance, which for a while generated a question that if Islam and Christianity were preaching the same virtues then why religious orientations or identifications were necessary for societies?

As young children, we were taught that everyone in this world was equal with no room for inequality, injustice, and intolerance. We never dreamt of imposed ideologies we see in present day Pakistan where not only ethnic and religious minorities but a large section of the society is concerned over certain doctrines forcibly trying to impose a certain the way of life, which is against people’s personal convictions. The customal references clarify that the founder of Pakistan had a clear plan for all citizens of the state to lead their lives according to their wishes.

In a real sense, at first place, the dream of transforming Pakistan into a progressive state was shattered in 1956 with a theocratic constitution. Furthermore, the eleven long years of a military dictator in the 1980s, who in the quest of his long-lasting desire for power, implemented theocratic ideologies that completely changed the social fabric of this country. In this so-called pluralistic society, a certain section of the majority has developed a spiritual insight which, beyond certain lines, is evil with exponential approach enwrapping not only the society but institutions too.

In religiopolitical Pakistan, even the cricket board is not free from the dominating shades of religious taboos hindering professionalism with some Pakistani players trying to impose religion upon non-Muslims in dressing room talks on certain occasions instead of focusing on the game. After the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final, Javed Afridi, the owner of Peshawar Zalmi, claimed that West Indies player Darren Sammy could embrace Islam. Fair enough! If Sammy has the conviction to switch his spiritual commitment, who could stop him since everyone has a right to choose their faith. It appears too early to predict something as the concerned cricketer never spoke anything about his personal stance since and rather posted pictures of his children reading the Bible on social media.

Ever since the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked in 2009, doors for international cricket in Pakistan have remain closed. Efforts did bring the Zimbabwean team for a bilateral series in 2015 but with the arrival of PSL, excitement reached at peak levels and international players including Sammy were ready to visit Pakistan. Knowing how fanatic people in Pakistan are when it comes to cricket, Sammy did everything to bring back smiles on their faces. In future, if international cricket ever returns to Pakistan, history would have a special place for Darren Sammy. However, does Javed Afridi have a right to decide the faith of a non-Muslim who honoured Pakistan on international level and brought hope for the country’s cricketing future?

If such theocratic stunts continue, it may become imperative for all non-Muslim cricketers to think over their decision of playing in Pakistan. This is an unprecedented example in the history of cricket where cricketers are evangelising non-Muslim cricketers. This is contrary to events taken place in Bangladeshi and Indian premier leagues. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is fully aware of certain lobbies working hard to prevent the return of international cricket in Pakistan. Won’t such kind of religious evangelism create more space for these lobbyists trying to harm Pakistan’s interests?

Woefully, this isn’t the only example, as such incidents have happened in the past too with Sri Lankan and other West Indies cricketers. Therefore, it is necessary to contain this mindset preoccupied by Pakistani cricketers. The moral standing of certain players is obviously proven by their spot-fixing scandals over the past several years.

Pakistani team is fighting for survival in the upcoming world cup. In the larger picture, extremism, social intolerance, corruption, nepotism and money laundering issues have crippled the nation, which demands an upright stance from all stakeholders of maintaining the country’s prestige, including cricketers. Nevertheless, this is Sammy’s prerogative to opt a new faith or continue with the existing. But, will his conversion ensure peace, love, tolerance, brotherhood and equality replacing extremism, intolerance and hatred in Pakistan?

Will his conversion help eliminate tendencies of match fixing found amongst cricketers?Faith and spiritualism are interlinked. I am convinced that Islamic saints of the past were the real mystic figures.We must first exhibit the characters of mysticism, love and acceptance, as there is much beyond the boundaries we are unable to witness with our naked eyes. We should win souls. Sammy won the love of millions of Pakistanis with his humility and character and this is something that really matters! His recent tweets show that he is a staunch Christian. Nothing further I would say except that, let cricket remain cricket.

The writer can be contacted at kaleem.dean@gmail.com