Honour the true martyrs
LAST week, a small group of gunmen captured on blurry images on CCTV cameras virtually put the final nails into the coffin of international cricket in Pakistan, at least for the foreseeable future.
For the country itself, cricket is a religion. The faith of the people has been badly shaken.
In Bristol, I met with the many aspiring young cricketers of Pakistani origin aspiring to be good enough to one day play for Gloucestershire, even England.
They, too, were heartbroken – for the youth of Pakistan, for the team of Pakistan, for cricket.
As they fumbled around to explain the inexplicable, conspiracy theories abounded. "It was India," one said. "They are taking revenge for what happened in Mumbai."
It was really more of an indication of how desperate the young people were to find a rationale behind the attack on the Sri Lankan Cricket team. "Why would terrorists target cricket?" asked one young man.
The question assumed that terrorists have principles, morals or a code of ethics. They don't. Their purpose is to cause chaos, to spread fear, to disrupt the lives of ordinary people. The young people listened to me intently.
On their faces, I saw the innocence of their years being lost to the madness of our 21st-century world.
For any fan of cricket, the events in Pakistan were devastating. For Pakistanis, it was crushing.
As the world rushed to condemn Pakistan for the attack, we forgot that Pakistan is the victim, too.
The epitome of that lack of international sympathy for Pakistan was Chris Broad, the match referee, who in an interview after the attacks said he was "abandoned" by the Pakistani security forces.
In cold-blood, he completely ignored the sacrifice of the six Pakistani police officers who were killed in the attacks.
He also apparently forgot the security officer who pulled him to the ground and was shot protecting him from the gunfire.
Just like the young cricketers in Bristol looking for someone to blame for the attacks, Chris Broad, too, was pointing the cold finger of blame.
Everyone wants to blame "the other" – the country, the people, the religion. As we squabble over who to blame, the terrorists – who have no nation, no tribe and no religion – just keep killing in the name of their own cause.
The six police officers who were killed in Pakistan were the true martyrs. They gave their own lives trying to save others. They made the ultimate sacrifice.
This is the true, untold story of the so-called "war on terror" – the many thousands of ordinary Pakistanis who have given their lives defending their families and their nation against the war and chaos that has spilled over into their country as a consequence of 9/11.
But we show no sympathy for Pakistan. They started it, right? It's infested with terrorists, right? It's got terrorist training camps all over it, right? It's a failed state, right?
It's a nation that 140 million ordinary people also call home.
It's just not cricket.
For the country itself, cricket is a religion. The faith of the people has been badly shaken.
In Bristol, I met with the many aspiring young cricketers of Pakistani origin aspiring to be good enough to one day play for Gloucestershire, even England.
They, too, were heartbroken – for the youth of Pakistan, for the team of Pakistan, for cricket.
As they fumbled around to explain the inexplicable, conspiracy theories abounded. "It was India," one said. "They are taking revenge for what happened in Mumbai."
It was really more of an indication of how desperate the young people were to find a rationale behind the attack on the Sri Lankan Cricket team. "Why would terrorists target cricket?" asked one young man.
The question assumed that terrorists have principles, morals or a code of ethics. They don't. Their purpose is to cause chaos, to spread fear, to disrupt the lives of ordinary people. The young people listened to me intently.
On their faces, I saw the innocence of their years being lost to the madness of our 21st-century world.
For any fan of cricket, the events in Pakistan were devastating. For Pakistanis, it was crushing.
As the world rushed to condemn Pakistan for the attack, we forgot that Pakistan is the victim, too.
The epitome of that lack of international sympathy for Pakistan was Chris Broad, the match referee, who in an interview after the attacks said he was "abandoned" by the Pakistani security forces.
In cold-blood, he completely ignored the sacrifice of the six Pakistani police officers who were killed in the attacks.
He also apparently forgot the security officer who pulled him to the ground and was shot protecting him from the gunfire.
Just like the young cricketers in Bristol looking for someone to blame for the attacks, Chris Broad, too, was pointing the cold finger of blame.
Everyone wants to blame "the other" – the country, the people, the religion. As we squabble over who to blame, the terrorists – who have no nation, no tribe and no religion – just keep killing in the name of their own cause.
The six police officers who were killed in Pakistan were the true martyrs. They gave their own lives trying to save others. They made the ultimate sacrifice.
This is the true, untold story of the so-called "war on terror" – the many thousands of ordinary Pakistanis who have given their lives defending their families and their nation against the war and chaos that has spilled over into their country as a consequence of 9/11.
But we show no sympathy for Pakistan. They started it, right? It's infested with terrorists, right? It's got terrorist training camps all over it, right? It's a failed state, right?
It's a nation that 140 million ordinary people also call home.
It's just not cricket.
33 Comments
View all
by Martin, Knowle,Bristol
Saturday, March 14 2009, 2:52PM
“What a load of garbage. First from the columnist, and then from the likes of Alfred and Abdu etc. Muslims do not harm others? What a stupid statement. Get it right please. Many Muslims do not harm others. The founder of Islam would not be included in this.
I was skeptical about Chris Broads statement. But I, along with the columnist was not there. My opinion is not relevant. The same goes for Mr Siddique.
Why on earth would we forget that Pakistanis suffer through this act of terrorism. Pakistan is a geographical area. The people of Pakistan are people. There is a difference, and it is insulting to suggest that we don't realise that.
How on earth does the columnist know that the terrorists have no nation, no tribe and no religion? He condemns conspiracy theories and then makes one up himself !
Painful for all to see athiest advertising campaigns?. Not all, surely. It pains me to see so many many adults believing in angels!
The truth sometimes hurts.”
by Den, Mangotsfied
Saturday, March 14 2009, 9:53AM
“I don't want to sound negative here Friday Prayers but you talk about a Muslim segmented city or town in the UK. I will not happen, we all tried this with the British Empire by creating Pakistan and there's lots of unrest there. The only way is to accept that you are British and practice your faith in a civilised and integrated community.”
by Alfred, Bristol
Friday, March 13 2009, 11:34PM
“Fridays Payers,
What you said in response to a perfect suggestion by Brenden is appalling. You've taken one example of charity and abused it. Think back to Roy Castle who didn't smoke or drink and died of cancer. You could have this one day and there are people out there who will help you, they won't help for recognition but because they care.
I'm sorry but you are an extremist and I no longer recognise this column as you do not speak as a true islamic person. Please speak to a central and recognised cleric as you have been led astray. Please do this soon or you'll be a danger to yourself.”
by Friday Prayers, Bristol
Friday, March 13 2009, 9:17PM
“Ruddie, I don't leave "for pastures new" because, like yourself I suspect, I was born here, and I don't much care for the heat.”
by Ruddie, Doncaster
Friday, March 13 2009, 7:27PM
“Friday Prayers, you say muslims are duty bound to protect other muslims. Well what happened then in 1987 when Saddam Hussein, a muslim slaughtered thousands of Kurds at Halabja, also muslims? What went wrong with the great teachings of the Koran when muslims blew up London, muslims amongst others being killed? Did Samira Jassim and her Sunni cohorts forget the great book you live by when she "befriended" vulnerable young women organised their rapes then made them atone for their "sin" by becoming suicide bombers and killing other muslims in Iraq, the Shia atrocity in January of this year?
Caused by muslims against other muslims. Not to mention the cricketing fiasco in Pakistan. I see, all muslims live by the diktat of the Koran, I think you'll find these and many more examples of hypocrisy are the reasons why I fail to understand why you think the UK will sit back and watch our great country sink into the middle ages without a whimper from the indigenous population. If you feel so strongly could you please explain why you remain here and don't leave for pastures new, like Saudi Arabia, where only this week a 75 year old woman was sentenced to 100 lashes for accepting help from two men she didn't know! Anyway I don't like the Burka, I only wear black occasionally and I like to go out and socialise without the threat of flogging just because some think their religion is head and shoulders above the rest. The Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Jews could teach you a valuable lesson in dignity and humility, whilst also explaining multiculturalism, as a Christian I know I can help you.”
by Brendan, Bedminster
Friday, March 13 2009, 5:34PM
“I don¿t know which version of the Koran you apparently read but where would I find a Koranic verse or even an obscure Hadith that asserts the kind of sentiments you are espousing?”
by Friday Prayers, Bristol
Friday, March 13 2009, 5:12PM
“Brendan, a Muslims first duty is to his Muslim brothers and sisters. Would I spend my days working for a cancer related charity ,if the majority of sufferers were non Muslims, suffering from cancers caused by lifestyles forbidden by the Koran ie Alcohol induced cancers, or cancers caused by promiscuous behaviours.
Perhaps if a Muslim charity set up a Muslim charity shop, we could work there for the benefit of our community?”
by Brendan, Bedminster
Friday, March 13 2009, 4:15PM
“Friday prayers,
Some interesting comments. However there is so much more to social integration than the narrow examples you offer. One of the positive ways in which Muslims could integrate more effectively into British culture is through the voluntary sector. In Britain we have a culture of voluntary service. It¿s so sad that we don¿t see more Muslims join things like the WRVS, the Samaritans, staffing charity shops, or getting involved in hospital charities. These are a few examples of service that benefit the whole community and not just one¿s own immediate group. Furthermore by engaging in this way many people would see how Muslims are benefiting wider society and at the same time not compromising their own Muslim faith, in fact this type of voluntary service would enhance it, I would suggest.”
by Alfred, Brislington
Friday, March 13 2009, 4:14PM
“Let's hope so and certainly we need more variation in parliament but unfortunately the way things are heading with Europe we'll become a state of the EU and so UK parliament will be nothing more than a museum in the next decade.”
by Friday Prayers, Bristol
Friday, March 13 2009, 4:03PM
“Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think, one way or another, we will all see a return to a much more pious time for everybody. As the next generation of Muslim Britons send an increased number of MP's to the House of Commons, I expect us to see a gradual swing to Islamic influenced values as bills are debated & passed.”