Beautiful diversity: Football to spur social reform as Muslim players shine for France at World Cup

KARACHI:
As Les Bleus clinched their second World Cup title after a thrilling final win over Croatia, social media was quick to underscore that the team had seven Muslim players in it and how the country must apply its on-field victories off the field as well.

Adil Rami, Djibril Sidibé, Benjamin Mendy, Paul Pogba , N’Golo Kanté, Nabil Fekir and Ousmane Dembélé all practice the faith.

The country which is often in the spotlight for its Islamophobic social policies won the ultimate footballing prize with a team that is one-third Muslim.

Twitterati called on France to put an end to its "hypocrisy" and acknowledge the foundational and positive role Muslims play in developing its society.

In pictures: French take to the streets in celebration after World Cup victory

"Africans and Muslims delivered you a second World Cup, now deliver them justice," American author Khaled Beydoun wrote.



"With France passing all these laws against Islamic practices, let's not forget it's these same Muslims players who helped win #WorldCup2018," one Twitter user wrote.

Some called on France to recognise the victory as a much-needed wake-up call for the country to adopt policies upholding the rights and dignity of migrants and Muslims.

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