Arshad Nadeem wanted to win medal for all Muslims and Muslim countries in the world. He felt sad when he couldn’t. Now he has.
Pakistan: Pak athlete wanted to win medal for all Muslims
Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s celebrated javelin thrower, openly expressed his desire to win an Olympic medal for all Muslims and Islamic nations. His failure to clinch the gold left him deeply dejected, as he felt he had let down not just his nation but the entire faith and Muslim world.
In Pakistan, sports are tied to religion, with victories celebrated as triumphs of Islam. Athletes frequently dedicate their successes to Islam, framing tournaments and competitions as jihad for supremacy of Islam. This extremist tendency overshadows the universal values of sportsmanship and inclusivity, reducing sports to ideological confrontations rather than unifying global events.
Cricketers and other athletes from Pakistan sometimes prioritize promoting Islam over fostering the spirit of the game. Instances of attempting to influence fellow players toward their faith reflect a religiously rigid mindset, equating victories with Islam-based validation. Such an approach alienates non-Muslim athletes, turning tournaments into ideological contests.
Arshad Nadeem wanted to win medal for all Muslims and Muslim countries in the world. He felt sad when he couldn't. Now he has.
— Pakistan Untold (@pakistan_untold) August 9, 2024
For all Nadeem lovers in India teaching Hindus that sports is above religions. For a Muslim, it's not.pic.twitter.com/StpoQYK8qn