When Maharoof kissed the ground

By Hameed Abdul Karim, Wellawatte

All cricket lovers were looking forward to an absorbing day of cricket when Sri Lanka clashed with the West Indies in the ICC Champions Trophy in India recently. Unfortunately the quality of the game did not rise up to expectations and it was all over within a short time.

But this is not to say there were no special moments for individuals in the Sri Lankan side and I am sure Farveez Maharoof will treasure his wonderful spell of bowling claiming 6 for 14 for as long as he lives. I have no doubt that Sri Lankan cricket fans would be happy for him.

There was a touching moment after his remarkable feat when he ‘went down and kissed the ground’ as the commentator, Ranjith Fernando, put it.

However, when young Farveez Maharoof ‘went down and kissed the ground’ he was actually observing an Islamic custom, which is called ‘Sujood’ or prostration. Muslims are required to make ‘Sujood’ to praise God Almighty for favours granted reciting in Arabic the words ‘Glory belongs to God Almighty - Most High’.

They have to perform this exercise in humility from the lowest point with their faces on the ground. This practice is a humbling process preventing the success, which Muslims believe comes from God Almighty, from going to one’s head!

I am happy that Ranjith Fernando has made it into the elite band of English commentators and am also delighted the bigwigs at the ICC hold Ranjan Madugalle in high esteem.

Those of us living in Sri Lanka need more such doses of happiness if we are to maintain our sanity in the trying times we are living in.