In this op-ed for the New York Times, British journalist Sameer Rahim makes the following point: “A recent survey by the think tank British Future found that whenever Islam was mentioned by those interviewed, it was ‘almost always in a negative context.’ Except,that is, on the cricket field. Perhaps surprisingly, the England cricket team, that most traditional of national institutions, has been leading the way in creating a more inclusive environment for its Muslim players.”
Mr. Rahim continues: “The life and cricket career of Moeen Ali, a visibly Muslim player on the England cricket team, illustrates how both the country and its minorities thrive when British institutions accommodate the religious and cultural needs of minorities.”
Here are some more snippets from his piece:
— “Mr. Ali, who is a religious Muslim, wears a luxurious beard, prays in the dressing room and fasts during five-day Test cricket matches, symbolizes something bigger than the game. Every time Mr. Ali plays for England, British Muslims like me are willing him to succeed.”
— “English cricket realized that it can only be strengthened by an open-minded attitude to minorities… Mr. Ali is not expected to keep quiet over issues he feels strongly about. When he was censured by the International Cricket Board for wearing “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine” wristbands during a 2014 test cricket match, the England and Wales Cricket Board supported his right to free expression.”
— “Mr. Ali’s easygoing demeanor has made him a favorite in the dressing room and with the fans. After a bad run earlier this year, he was dropped from the team. But he worked hard and fought back to earn a spot and won the title of Man of the Match, for his outstanding performance in a match against India in September… “I felt this was a team I could give anything for,” he remarked.”
