I read your article on the Pakistani cricket team and its recent defeat at the hands of the Australians. Was rather disturbed at the one-sided portrayal you chose to make of my home country. We are not a nation of fanaticists, though I would concede that fundamentalism has been on the rise for the past 20 years or so. (Wahhabist missionaries, local politicking, and a backlash to the War on Terror have all played their part). Despite what you may be lead to believe by sensationlist reporting, Pakistan is essentially a secularly minded country, which shares very little in common with the Arab states in terms of culture. Indeed, Pakistan was the first ‘Muslim’ nation to elect a female PM, as far back as 1987.

Cricket, in fact, may be more accurately described as the national ‘religion’ as it is followed by Pakistanis of all ethnicities and creeds. The fact that our team’s leading batsman and bowler are a Christian and Hindu adds weight to this argument.

As for the specific incidences of rioting you referred to, sadly extremism exists everywhere but in terms of sheer numbers the vast majority of the nation have continued to support the team and its English coach, who remains enthusiastic about the sheer level of talent available and the rich culture of Pakistan.

Visiting teams always receive a warm welcome and genuine hospitality, and I would be more than happy to point you in the direction of some articles by acclaimed Indian writers regarding their last trip to Pakistan. The incident involving the New Zealand team in 2002 was isolated (in all of Pakistan’s history), and, contrary to the comment left in your blog, the targets of the bombers were not at all the players.

Of course, while rising extremism is a problem that is mostly self-induced, one must bear in mind current world events where Muslims are seen as victims in a War specifically targeting their Faith. I won’t go into the merits of this argument at this stage, however, the evidence of a vicious circle is there for all to see if you go and examine the ground realities. I spoke to a leading Catholic spokesperson, Mariam Richards, and asked her if she felt Christians were being persecuted. She replied that no, in general there was no discrimination, but that violence in the lower-levels of society was linked with American adventurism in the Middle East etc. I think her exact words were “It really depends on what the Americans are up to at the time”.

I have just recently discovered your blog and, as a student journalist myself, am keen to read your perspective on world events and see things from your point of view. However I just felt your article on Pakistani cricket needed more balance.

Kind Regards,

Issam Ahmed

UK