The last batch of Pakistani athletes for the 2012 Olympics – sprinter Liaquat Ali and 800m runner Rabiya Ashiq - will leave for London today, caught between the importance of fasting and dreams of Olympics glory.
Liaquat had been fasting during the last few training sessions but will now need to balance the situation in a beneficial manner.
“It’s a tricky situation because there’s Ramazan and the Olympics are taking place and it’s very hard to choose between the two,” Ali told The Express Tribune before confirming that he will fast for as many days as he can while continuing light training to keep him in good shape. However, the sprinter will need to skip a fast on August 4 if he qualifies from the preliminary round.
“I just want to give my best for the country.”
The national 100m champion wants a repeat performance of his 10.15 seconds which, according to him, can take him into the semis.
Meanwhile, the pair will be accompanied by coach Bushra Parveen who is the national 800m record holder.
“Just being at the Olympics will be the biggest moment of my life and i want to savour each second of this prestigious event,” said Perveen. “At the same time, I don’t want to get carried away because I have the duty to keep the athletes’ head straight so that we focus on our goal instead of being distracted and overwhelmed by the occasion.”
She hoped that her student Rabiya will break her record in London, hoping the feat can bring more female athletes into the sport.
“I had to face a lot of hardships in my career just became I’m a girl. But now I want to the see female Pakistani athletes compete against the world’s best.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2012.
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I am quite amazed how an athlete can even have doubts on whether to fast or not during the games. When an athlete is going for participating in any games, his/her only objective is to ensure that he/she tries to win a medal for the country..period. For acheiving that end, proper training and nutrition are vital. Which idiot will want to worry about fasting when its clear as daylight, that it would defeat the very purpose of participating in the games. No wonder its only countries which don't give a damn about religion, who make progress in all spheres including sports. China is the best example in Asia.
While the flexibility to fast or not to fast is there, it really is a personal choice of the athelete in question. If his religious convictions tell him to fast, so be it. Why should anyone get upset one way or another. May Allah reward his hard work either way he goes.
Although the reports of whether or not Hashim was fasting are unclear, I do remember vividly that during the 90s in the NBA (basketball league in USA), Houston Rockets star center, Hekeem Olajuwan, used to play complete games of basketball while fasting. Surely, if he can outlast a tough game at the highest level, others can to if they have the intestinal fortitude for it.
@mohammed, believe what you want to but the truth is that Hashim Amla is not fasting and he himself said in an interview in England's Guardian newspaper: "Because I'm travelling away from home I don't have to fast," he said. "So I haven't been fasting. But I will make it up when I get home." http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/22/hashim-amla-record-south-africa
@Akshay: Also add the fact that an athelete should consider himself lucky if he was able to represent his country for more than 2 Olympics event...The competition is so cut throat especially in track and field events that its difficult for someone to maintain his fitness for a decade to the highest level.
Big picture: what are the chances that he will win a medal...? Less than 10% I would say...
Leaving fast for a circus and claim it is travelling so not essential. Our nation's ability to find back doors are amazing.
Fasting is more important. At least they have an excuse then for not winning a single medal.
@Adeel: Islam is the religion of ease not hardship. Olympions should focus on their game. Religion has the flexibility to practice it later on.
@Adeel: He was not fasting, do you research mate....
well i guess the rules for fasting in islam are not that rigid. you can skip a fast if you are travelling,but you can make up for it later. And i see no harm in them skipping a couple of fasts during the games if it is neccessary and then making up for them later. The basic meaning of Islam is peace and how can you make peace with something when you are forcing that upon to someone and if you are saying that you have to fast no matter what,then this takes out the interest of the individual from that act and that is not what islam is all about. An amal just for the sake of doing it is basically useless so i dont see any logic or a point that they have to fast no matter what they are doing they have to and they are not exempted. Travellers even get exemption in namaz which is farz on daily basis,you dont offer the full raka'ats when you are travelling so how come one can think we muslims are not provided with any relaxation in Ramadan. Even the Ullamas with a very strong and un-shakeable stance on religion agree to this. All the best to these athletes. No matter what happens in the games, they have made their country proud. And Hashim Amlad didnt fast during the test match,its an official statement of his so i want to clear this misconception. but he said between the games i will fast.
@Mohammed, I totally agree that Hashim Amla did fast while playing the latest test match as far as I know and hit centuries by the Grace of Almighty!:) He's one of the athletes in the world that does fast while playing sports Mashallah!
@Doosam is right. Our molvis should make themselves useful for once and clear this matter of fasting during Olympics. Educated countries likes Malaysia have already sorted out this issue: http://tribune.com.pk/story/412378/malaysian-olympians-can-postpone-ramadan-fast/
@mohammed: You do not have to ask a mufti for help. Read the Quran. Answer is there.
2:184 - (Fasting is for) A number of days. Whoever of you is ill or traveling, then the same number from different days (can be substituted); and as for those who can do so but with difficulty, they may redeem by feeding the needy. Whoever does good voluntarily, it is better for him. If you fast, it is better for you if you knew. (Note: all text in brackets mine)
Although its obligatory but ease is provided too. The athletes can substitute the number of days of Ramadan for other days of month. If you think that you don't come under the traveler's category then the same can be substituted for feeding the needy. Peace.
Malaysian Muslim athletes have been exempted from fasting during the Olympics and correctly so because there is an exemption for travelers and they are in London as travelers basically. They can make up for the missed fasts once the games are over. Hashim Amla is also doing the same in the Test series in England and contrary to popular belief he is not fasting during matches & training but will fast later when the series is over.
Ramazan comes every year, Olypics every 4 years, and as atheletes representing nation sports should be more important for them than fasting.