Athletics important to Islam

Sports and athletics are integral to Islam as a way to gain strength, health and spiritual growth, a scholar of Islamic studies said in a lecture. "Our religion pays a great deal of attention to the body, and does not neglect it," Dr Yuyu Abdul Hamid said yesterday. "Islam specifies nutrition for the body, the soul and the mind." As a trained psychologist and Islamic preacher, Dr Abdul Hamid advises the Islamic Centre in Strasbourg, France, on cultural and religious affairs. He is in the UAE as part of the "Guests of the Nation" delegation, an annual roster of Islamic scholars from around the world who share their latest research at mosques and other venues. He delivered a lecture to an audience of Emirati athletes and educators at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation.

"In our world today, there is great importance for the body and its material strength. In Europe, sports is like a religion for people. At least every Sunday they go running or swimming for an hour, " he said. [e-mail]