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Qatar 2022: Publicizing Islam through Football-Dr Gwandu

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2 years ago

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“While under-representation and misrepresentation are decried as the twin destiny of Islam in global television, what is often neglected by studies is the extent to which the contemporary nexus between television, sport and religion is actually providing a platform for both propagation and socialization.” – Prof Musa.

Occurrences and concurrences in the 2022 FIFA World Cup starting today remind me of a paper presented at Islam and Media working Group session during the 2016 conference of the International Association for Media and Research (IAMCR).

The Conference was held from 27th to 31st July 2016 at the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Leicester, United Kingdom where I presented a paper titled “Islamic Ethics and Credible Global Journalism Practice.”

The theme of the conference was “Memory, Commemoration and Communication: Look Back, Looking Forward”. The conference coincided with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the University Department as well as looking forward to the 60th anniversary of the IAMCR the following year.

Perhaps it was part of “looking back and looking forward”’ that Professor Mohammed Musa who was then from the Department of Media, Communication and Journalism of the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand chose to make presentation on his research titled “Television, Football and the Reproduction of Islamic Identity.”

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Tinubu /Omo-Agege And Their Dual Domineering Debut In Delta

The Professor noted “new emerging dimension in the nexus between television, sport and Islam” and to him “for sport as television cultural diet has not only provided the medium a global audience but also, in the case of European club football, resulted in a situation where global audiences come into contact with images and doctrines of Islam in several ways”.

Professor Musa’s submission was that “for through the focus on the uniqueness of Muslim or Arabic names among players, the close-up on Muslim players praying before or after matches, the ‘sujud’ or prostration by Muslim players in celebration of victory etc. global television audiences are told a story about Islamic doctrine of the superior being in Islam”.

He considered as a way of disseminating Islamic stance when Muslim players in the EPL resented to wear club jersey because “it advertised ‘haram’ product” which to him was yet another instance of “directing attention of global audiences to the doctrine of clear boundaries in Islam, i.e., the notion of ‘halal and haram’ in Islamic jurisprudence”.

It was the author’s conclusion that “while under-representation and misrepresentation are decried as the twin destiny of Islam in global television what is often neglected by studies is the extent to which the contemporary nexus between television, sport and religion is actually providing a platform for both propagation and socialization”.

Qatar 2022 is a pointer to the manifestation and amplification of what could only be seen and observed through microscopic research eye lens of the likes of Professor Musa six years ago, what Mendel will call “masked recessive character” – a trait that is expressed only when genotype is homozygous.

It is a showcase of the latent and “subconscious exhibition” of what might be seen as surreptitious. It shows how modernity shaped ways of achieving certain goals in an “unconventional” manner including the use of what is acceptable and mundane to score high goals.

As we look back and look forward, we can say that the coast is now clear that the happenings in Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup open vista of opportunities for researchers to explore critical inquiries especially in the areas modernity, media, communication, history, religion and culture.

Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu
20th November, 2022

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FIFA stands still over Israel football association, Palestine football federation face off, calls for peace

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3 weeks ago

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October 6, 2024

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By Abdulgafar Oladimeji

World football governing body FIFA is in a stalemate in finding solutions to the lingering crisis between Israel Football Association , IFA versus Palestine Football Federation . PFF.

IFA was affiliated to FIFA in 1948.

PFF had a Provisional affiliation to FIFA in 31 May 1995, became full member in 1998

FIFA has continued to hold its breath from taking a definite decision on the matter involving both football governing bodies.

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Palestine Football Federation had asked FIFA to suspend or expel of Israel FA over the allegations bordering on the restrictions of the movement of players between Gaza and the West Bank.

PFF also alleged that Israel was hindering the Palestine federation from gaining access to the importation of football equipments.

Sepp Blatter and Jacques Rogge, then presidents of FIFA and the International Olympic Committee had travelled to the region in efforts to find solutions to the dispute, this moves failed to yield the much anticipated solutions to the dispute.

In May 2024 at the FIFA Congress, meeting held in Bangkok, PFF asked for a vote on a proposal to exclude Israel, the congress then referred the matter to FIFA Council.

FIFA has continued to hope and search for mechanism through which the dispute could be resolved, considering that both federations are its affiliate that are entitled to enjoy equal treatments in all football matters.

The autumn council meeting, in Zurich, resorted to the implementation of an “independent legal analysis” by allowing for the governance, audit and compliance committee for an investigations into PFF’s allegations of discrimination in breach of FIFA regulations.

Also there were claims on the alleged participation by clubs from Palestinian territories in competitions organized by Israel.

Speaking on the dispute , Infantino said: “The FIFA Council has implemented due diligence on this very sensitive matter and, based on a thorough assessment, we have followed the advice of the independent experts.

“The ongoing violence in the region confirms that, above all considerations, and as stated at the 74th FIFA Congress, we need peace. As we remain extremely shocked by what is happening, and our thoughts are with those who are suffering, we urge all parties to restore peace to the region with immediate effect.” Infantino said .

 

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SWAN Organises Workshop For  Journalists On Factual, Sports Reporting

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1 month ago

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September 27, 2024

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The Kano Sports Writers Association of Nigeria SWAN, organised a one-day workshop for Kano journalists on the role of reporting sporting activites.

The one-day workshop was held in Kano on Thursday, at Kano State Sports Commission, to inhence the importance of reporting on sports, which is key to maintaining the quality of delivery of sports journalists.

The General Manager of Kano Pillars FC, Abba Galadima, emphasized the importance of factual reporting by sports journalists.

Speaking at the ceremony, the National President of SWAN, Benjamin Isaiah, said sports journalism is factual, and calls for standing up to the facts about reporting sports events.

Represented by the SWAN National Ex–officio, Lurwanu Idris Malikawa, urged sports journalism to be factual while reporting sports.

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Also, the lecturer at the Khalifa Isyka Rabiu University Kano, KHAIRUN, Dr. Yusuf Datti presented his paper on “Understanding tennis rules, surfaces and match technics.

In his remark, Abdulgafar Oladimeji, a Sports Veteran, called for journalists to always be mindful of the sports sector, urged them to focus on the investigation of sports activities.

The workshop was attended by the different sports presenters in Kano, commended SWAN leadership under Zahradden Saleh for organizing the workshop, acknowledging the support and cooperation.

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National Youth Games: Kano Contingent Stranded, Yet to Receive Funds

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1 month ago

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September 14, 2024

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The Kano State contingent at the ongoing 8th Edition of the National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, has made a special appeal to Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf for assistance.

A source within the entourage, speaking off the record, revealed that the State Sports Commission had earlier submitted a proposal through the office of the Secretary to the State Governor to expedite the release of funds.

Despite the release of the funds, the Commission has not yet received the money to distribute to the team members.

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The source lamented that during the previous edition of the Games, the state contingent, which had a larger team, was allocated more funds than this time around, even though the local currency has depreciated and inflation is on the rise.

The contingent also called on the current administration, through the Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Mustapha Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, to address the issue promptly to protect the state’s reputation as a leader in various fields.

The athletes fear that if the situation is not urgently addressed, Kano may lose the opportunity to win medals, as they have occasionally arrived late to game venues.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to contact the Commissioner or his representative regarding the issue have been unsuccessful.

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