They might have a slight point, but, whoever makes the soccer balls, along FIFA execs, might want to hire body guards
Souvenir soccer balls for the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be hosted in South Africa next year have angered South African Muslims because they have an Arabic inscription that is considered sacred and are going to be kicked around. But FIFA has denied any knowledge of such balls, with local organisers believing that the balls on sale now are probably pirate versions of the officially sanctioned version of the ball.
The Jamiatul Ulama (Council of Muslim Theologians) of South Africa said that the balls being circulated featured the national flags of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq, which all have the Arabic inscription with which Muslims proclaim their faith by declaring that there is only one Allah and that Mohammed is his messenger and prophet.
“These flags carry Islamic proclamations considered sacred by Muslims. Usage in this manner has the potential of offending adherents of the Islamic faith,†the Council said in a statement.
OK, so the flags of Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia now upset….Muslims. LOL!
“Muslims handle and dispose of such sacred texts with utmost respect. We would therefore like to bring to the attention of publishers, advertisers, printers, publicists and all concerned the sensitivities the Muslim community has about the use of any type of media with sacred Islamic text,†the Council said, offering assistance to advertising agencies in determining the appropriateness of Arabic texts, arabesque art and calligraphy “which may have subtly embedded sacred textâ€.
I’ll remember that next time Muslims start burning Bibles and Christian churches. Not to mention Christians.
