Sinful for Muslims to wear logo
MUSLIM runners have been called to boycott road races if Athletics SA (ASA) and its provincial affiliates do not exempt athletes of the faith from wearing the National Lottery logo on their vests.
The National Lotteries Commission began funding athletics this year and, as part of that agreement, all athletes competing in ASA events are required to wear the logo along with their race number.
But promoting gambling is a sin for Muslims, and the new sponsorship deal is putting the community on a collision course with ASA.
The permanent licences for the 2017 athletics season – required for all athletes participating in ASA events – came into effect at the beginning of last month.
ASA states that the licence and race number layouts will allow race numbers to be positioned on top of the ASA licence, without covering the logo of the province and ASA sponsor.
Mohamed Khan, chairman of Crescent Runners’ Club, said they agreed that running with the lottery logo on the licence was in contravention of their religious beliefs, and they had contacted KZN Athletics.
“We have been informed that the removal of, or obscuring, the logo will result in our runners being disqualified. The club’s view is that we will abide by the rules of KZN Athletics and also ASA,” said Khan.
He was hopeful the runners could reach an agreement where their faith would not be compromised and still be able to abide by the rules of KZN Athletics and ASA.
When contacted yesterday, KZN Athletics spokesperson Trevor Neethling said affiliate bodies could not comment because it was an ASA issue.
ASA president Aleck Skhosana said a similar complaint had been raised by Western Province Athletics.
He said he was not aware of the application lodged by the Crescent Runners’ Club to KZN Athletics, and would await details from the provincial body to ASA’s council.
“This is a matter concerning ASA’s constitution, which will be dealt with by our council. At its next sitting, the council will decide whether to allow those who want to run without the logo or not (to participate),” said Skhosana.
He could not confirm when the council’s next sitting would be held.
Moulana Abdullah Khan of the Jamiatul Ulama KZN (Council of Muslim Theologians) said South Africa’s constitution afforded individuals the right to practise their religious beliefs, and athletics authorities should consider allowing people to do that.
“We don’t support any gambling or alcohol-based organisation, and we also believe that no organisation’s constitution should supersede the country’s constitution, which caters for the free practice of religious beliefs. All other constitutions should be subservient to that,” he said.
The cleric also felt that if running clubs’ pleas to have their Muslim runners participate without wearing the National Lotteries Commission branding were rebuffed, Muslim runners should not participate in races.
Exemptions have already been made for Proteas Muslim cricketers Hashim Amla, Wayne Parnell and Imran Tahir not to wear the Castle logo on their national team gear. – Staff Reporter