MUSLIM SOFTBALL LEAGUE COMPETES FOR CHARITY

muslim-softball-Torstar-network — Photo: Torstar Network

Ottawa, 25 Dzulqo’dah 1435/20 September 2014 (MINA) – Reviving memories of golden Islamic empires, Muslims in Ontario’s city of Mississauga have organized their first softball league, to strengthen ties connecting their community and channel proceeds to their own charities.

“We just want to get out there, be active, meet with new people, build camaraderie and give back to the community,” Zahid Merchant, founder and commissioner of the Brotherhood Softball League (BSL), Onislam quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Friday.

“Many of us have played in mixed (gender) leagues or work leagues, but we want to play competitive softball in a safe space where we don’t have to compromise our faith and responsibility. That’s why we created something for ourselves,” said Merchant, 34, who has had 27 hits for a 0.614 this season, making him the Mughals’ top hitter.

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In the BSL league, made up of immigrant and second-generation players of South Asian and Arab descent, six teams on compete for the cup.

The teams are named after great Muslim empires and dynasties, namely: the Abbasids, Ayyubids, Mughals, Ottomans, Seljuqs and Sultans.

Though it carries on lots of baseball traditions, including trade rumors, “trash-talk” and scouting of players, the BSL league has no alcohol at the games or afterward.

Meeting every Sunday, Muslim players gather with one goal in their mind; to channel proceeds from a win to their own charities: Project Ramadan, the Muslim Welfare Centre, the Canadian Tire Jump Start Foundation, a local food bank or orphan sponsorship.

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Last Sunday, players for Ottoman team, (recalling an empire that lasted from 1299 to 1923), played against the top-ranked Mughal (1526 to 1857) in the season finals at Mount Charles Park in Mississauga.

Muslims make around 2.8 percent of Canada’s 32.8 million population, and Islam is the number one non-Christian faith in the country.

A recent survey showed that the overwhelming majority of Muslims are proud to be Canadian, and that they are more educated than the general population.(T/P008/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)