Sports have been a cornerstone of civilisation for thousands of years, as reflected in the archaeological record. In hard and desperate times, they have served as rallying points for national unity and communal resilience, and even stood in as essential channels for diplomatic strategy and cultural exchange. For many former colonies, sport was and remains the one way to let off post-colonial frustrations—especially when England loses. Today, four-year cycles bring the excitement and prestige of the Olympics and the World Cup. Yet a closer look at these events reveals issues of corruption and economic disparity, and highlights the contradictions of our global order. Meanwhile, deeper reflections on sport pose questions about human nature itself. In this issue of Critical Muslim, we revisit our favourite sports and cheer on our favourite teams and athletes as we ask what the games we play say about our world and our place in it. About Critical Muslim: A quarterly publication of ideas and issues showcasing groundbreaking thinking on Islam and what it means to be a Muslim in a rapidly changing, interconnected world. Each edition centres on a discrete theme, and contributions include reportage, academic analysis, cultural commentary, photography, poetry, and book reviews.
