Muslim Council of Britain applauds Olympics

As the Olympic Games in London drew to a stunning finale, The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) on Monday paid tribute to all those who have made London 2012 a resounding success. Speaking on the cusp of the closing ceremony, Farooq Murad, secretary general of the MCB, said: “London 2012 demonstrated the best of Britain. The sportsmen and women of Team GB have inspired a whole nation with their amazing medal haul: this fortnight has been a great time to be British.” Team GB’s success has been personified by the winning streak of double Gold medalist distance runner, Mo Farah, who won both the 5,000m and 10,000m races – only the seventh person in the world to ever do so. “Mo Farah has become a British hero, and a true role model for all of us,” said Murad. “Here is a British Muslim that has moved a nation, and will motivate a generation to come: of all faiths and none. His faith, fortitude and grace have been inspirational.” Another British Muslim Olympian, Moe Sbihi, won a bronze medal in the Men’s Eight rowing. Commenting on the spirit of London 2012, Murad added that in the last two weeks, "we had witnessed a British identity that was quirky, inclusive and diverse, as well as full of hope". “We have seen Londoners of all races and faiths come together to play host to the world. We in Britain have had our shared national moment as we cheered on our athletes. I earnestly hope we can keep that spirit alive in the years ahead.” He added: “Many commentators felt that there would be problems with the holy month of Ramadan coinciding with the Olympics. In fact, Muslims around the country turned this into an opportunity to welcome newcomers from around the world into their mosques. In many respects, we had a perfect alignment of our spiritual, Olympic and national values.” The Muslim Council has had a long association with London 2012. From the start it backed the city’s bid to host the Games. Many British Muslims have global connections with compatriots around the world, and the Muslim Council took part in the lobbying effort to persuade Muslim countries to support London’s bid. Farooq Murad said: “We’ve been honoured to work with LOCOG. Dr Shuja Shafi, our deputy secretary general, has led a team advising on issues relating to Muslims, including the provision of prayer facilities and Halal food, and advice on the holy month of Ramadan.” The MCB also helped source and train Muslim chaplains to join the Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Team at the Olympic Village, assisting some of the 3,000 Muslim athletes attending the Games. On the evening of August 11, the Muslim Council hosted various international Muslim Olympians at a special ‘Iftar’ event to mark the end of the fasting day during Ramadan. Amongst the Olympians who attended were the Pakistani Paralympic Team, whose leader praised LOCOG for treating Paralympians as fully-fledged athletes. Guests also heard from Professor Salim al-Hassan, founder of the Islamic Foundation for Science and Technology, on the historical contribution of Muslims to modern sports. His words were echoed by the Revd. Canon Duncan Green, head of Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Services at the Olympics. He noted how the Athletes Village had 204 nations living side-by-side, with mosques, synagogues, churches and temples all represented by their respective clergy. Attendees worshiped, ate and played together. “If we can do it for three to four weeks, why can’t we do it for many more years to come?” The MCB’s former secretary general, Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, shared his reasons for joining LOCOG as a board member. He highlighted the legacy of the Games for developing some of London’s most deprived areas, and bringing communities together for a common national purpose. “It has been a stupendous fortnight,” Farooq Murad concluded. “Let all of us – people and politicians alike – make sure that spirit of London 2012, the spirit and energy of ‘togetherness’ and success, continues for decades to come.”