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Islam at the London 2012 Olympics

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Though the world of sports could be deemed a secular space, displays of ‘religiosity’ can be regularly observed. The best known examples are the: “Please God! Let Team X win, and I’ll never ask for anything again” type prayers made by desperate fans of the losing side; the odd bearded Pakistani cricket player performing sujood on the pitch after winning a test match; and of course, the ardent enthusiasts for whom following a favourite sport is a religious activity, in and of itself.

London 2012 Olympics Logo

Therefore, I should not have been so surprised to read the following questions, raised by the Conservative peer, Lord James of Blackheath during a House of Lords debate on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, enquiring whether adequate arrangements were in place for the religious needs of competing athletes and their entourage:

The other issue concerning the Olympic Village, which was much discussed on numerous occasions, is whether the delivery unit has succeeded in getting satisfactory clearance from the Islamic religious authorities in this country as regards the compatibility of the dwellings being provided for private worship. Some seven different requirements had to be met.

Having built an Islamic village for a university campus in Libya 25 years back, I know to my cost that very sensitive issues are involved. I remember having to take Colonel Gaddafi on a guided tour of the finished product, at the end of which he said: “You’ve only got one bit right, why shouldn’t I hang you?” I said, “Because you should hang the architect instead, Colonel”. He said, “Can’t do that, did it last month”.

If the Government face a similar situation, they will be confronted with adopting the same solution I had to do, which cost millions. You have a lot of work to do to put it right. Therefore, will the Government please tell us whether they have Islamic religious clearance on the dwellings?

Moving from the problems of the dwellings to the issues of religion itself, we had a very strange Statement – I think that it was again made by the noble Lord, Lord Davies of Oldham – on the arrangements that were being made for the building of temples, mosques and buildings for Christian worship, but I have no recollection of being told that there would also be a synagogue. Are we omitting the Jewish faith from any religious representation on the site? What arrangements will be made to include them? It is not tactful not to include them in the present circumstances. I should like an update on that, please.

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In terms of religious considerations, I would have predicted the provision of halal, kosher and vegan catering, to satisfy a potential variety of dietary requirements (though London is not short of specialist restaurants, if they had forgotten) – but never the building of mosques, temples, churches and synagogues.

Saying that, I am more than a little confused about the “seven different requirements” that are allegedly necessary for dwellings to be deemed “Islamic” by Muslim religious authorities. Further, why should fulfilling said requirements “cost millions” of pounds in taxpayers money? The discovery of such information would definitely lead to a few “Political Correctness Gone Mad!” tabloid headlines. Perhaps Lord James has been lead to believe that all new mosques should be lined with the finest imported marble, intricate mosaic designs, and inspiring displays of gold leaf calligraphy?

As far as I am aware, all that would be required of a Olympic Village prayer room is a large enough space to accommodate worshippers; some carpet would be nice. A clean bathroom for ablution. Maybe a book shelf for some spare mushafs? A reliable compass to work out the qibla direction. And of course, a nice, sturdy shoe rack – at the base of which shoes can be quickly thrown off to form the casual heap of randomly placed footwear that is the hallmark of every well attended jama’at. Am I missing something?

In terms of individual accommodation: I imagine all the rooms will be en suite, and will have sufficient floor space to walk around in, and thus would be adequate for anyone who wishes to pray in solitude. In fact, take a look at this computer-generated design of the athletes’ quarters. That is just the living room. What else would one want? Unless they plan to use pig leather bed sheets, and run wine out of the bathroom taps, I really doubt there will be any complaints on the “Islamic requirements” front, insha’Allah.

Besides, if construction of the London Markaz (i.e, the ‘mega mosque’) is still going ahead (I haven’t heard anything on the subject for a while), then any Muslims attending the Olympics should have access to a potentially awesome, shiny, new masjid to ‘rock their salat’ in.

So, Lord James: I sincerely thank you for considering the needs of Muslim athletes. But please do not waste precious money in their name – especially for an event that only lasts a few weeks – and during a recession, no less. Surely, of all the requirements that Muslims are purported to have, more bad press is not one of them.

Photo Credit: London 2012 Image Library

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Dr Mehzabeen b. Ibrahim joined MuslimMatters as a blogger in late 2007 under the handle 'iMuslim', whilst still a struggling grad student. Since then, she has attained a PhD in Molecular Biology and a subsequent Masters in Bioinformatics, and now works as a specialist in this field for a well-known British, medical charity, masha'Allah. Somewhere in between she found the time to get married, alhamdulillah. She likes to dabble in photo and videography, a sample of which can be found on her personal blog: iMuslim.tv.

9 Comments

9 Comments

  1. sulemanc

    January 26, 2010 at 5:39 AM

    “Plans to build Britain’s biggest mosque in east London have collapsed.”

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/1/hi/england/london/8465694.stm

    Consideration needs to be given to the legacy of such a project – e.g. the regeneration of Barcelona in 1992. If this were combined with the construction of such a masjid then it might be attractive to such a community. (after all the legacy of the Olympics to London, apart from a massive tax bill, will be a change resulting in the construction of more facilities, of whatever nature)

    • iMuslim

      January 28, 2010 at 1:25 PM

      Are you referring to the legacy of prayer facilities in the Olympic Village, or the legacy of the Mega Mosque?

  2. PakistaniMD

    January 27, 2010 at 10:17 PM

    Did anyone note that the 2012 Olympics will occur during Ramadan? Might become hard for some athletes…

    • iMuslim

      January 28, 2010 at 1:24 PM

      No, I didn’t realise that at all. Well spotted. I wonder what they will do?

      • Hafiz SP

        January 29, 2010 at 2:38 AM

        Well as muslims we should think the best of all muslims therefore, mentally we think they will fast. Hakeem Olagiuan or Olajuwon a legend NBA during the late 80’s and 90’s and considered one of the 50 greatest platyers in the NBA used to fast every ramadhan even if it came on game day. Despite this he has still won Player of the Month and many other accolades. I believe that is down to the barakah and blessing of fasting.

        Inshallah all athletes will do as they deserve.

        • iMuslim

          January 30, 2010 at 9:57 AM

          Well, I thought they may have special dispensation, being travellers. At least the athletes from abroad. I’m not sure if any of the British Olympic athletes are Muslim.

  3. ttopo

    January 31, 2010 at 9:56 PM

    Weren’t the Olympics started with the attention to please the mthyical gods?

  4. diana

    February 20, 2010 at 11:33 AM

    is there any Muslim athletes living in London?
    im doing a photographic documentary project in the Olympics for University and i’m really interested in the fact that 2012 Olympics will occur during Ramadan and i would like to interview one athlet and take some.
    i would apreciate some help!

    thanks,

    D

  5. Russ1

    July 30, 2012 at 12:41 PM

    Dear
    Mehzabeen while your insight is well intended you should not overlook the significance of the issue raised. The Olympic movement in its origins is western and going way back based on Greek worship of their Greek Gods – nowadays hte Games is regarded as boht international, secular and free form all discrimination – London 2012 will for the first time witness all nations sending Female athlete. Also London 2012 will take place during the holy month of Ramadan and the major venues are based in East London home to many Muslim and indeed immigrates of all types nationalities and colors – so to be mindful of other is not a
    waste (of) precious money in their name it is to be mindful of the changing natuer of the games and its appeal to a wider GLOBAL audience.

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