Egypt won, let's get over it and focus on more important issues

I'm really really really ecstatic Egypt won! I screamed, I jumped, I update my facebook status and 'liked' everyone's status on my friend's list who wrote about Egypt's victory. I even changed my pictures on FB to Egypt-related. Okay. Now what? Third time in a row champions. Very nice. 7 time winner. Excellent. So ... Again, now what? I think it's awesome that Egyptians every where are celebrating, and especially in Egypt itself, Egyptians are laughing, being happy, cheering, and having that pride-filled sentiment.

Unfortunately everything comes to an end. We won. The End. Now let's focus on more important issues, such as that flood that happened in Egypt, that no one seems to be noticing. And that the Egyptian election is coming up and people need to know more information about who is running. I find that soccer and sports can some times be a relief to all the hardship that's going on in one's country.

I mean, yes Egypt has accomplished a lot, but in reality, it's on a pretty low scale compared to other countries. If people were more enthusiastic about overthrowing corrupt governments, poverty, injustice, imagine how amazing Egypt should be? Egypt still deserves to celebrate, the people need a little break and past time and that's healthy. And it's also wonderful that Egyptians of all social levels and religions all cheer for that one team and celebrate together.

I just think they shouldn't celebrate for too long and no not move on with their lives -- but move on to other more crucial issues in the country. I love Egypt with all my heart. And one of the goals of this blog is to not criticize my country, but to encourage others to take MORE steps in making it a better country.

Congratulations Egypt, you deserved it, and he team made us all proud. But let us always stay proud of who we are, regardless of whether or not we win a soccer game, and to strive to make Egypt a better place. I'll end with this quote in a New York Time's article that just came out, title Soccer Gains Ground on Politics In Gaza Strip: "When people ... cannot find solutions to their political problems, they shift their interest to movies and sports. Sports have become a prime interest," he said.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/01/31/sports/sports-uk-soccer-nations-palestinians.html

Hellz yeah Egypt!

Egypt beat Cameroon today, which qualifies them for the semi-finals in the african cup of nations!!!!!!!!1 We won 3-1! We rock. Period. On Thursday we play Algeria. Oh no. I'm feeling tremulous but confident we will win, God willing. I don't want to talk about what happened in the qualifying matches for the World Cup, because you most probably already know. And for the record -- I think both teams/fans were crazy and BOTH were at fault! Let's try to calm down a bit before the next match and not do any thing stupid!!!

On a more serious note, I find it so interesting that although Egypt is a pretty poor country, EVERYONE, well ok mostly everyone who is Egyptian will either support their team or watch it together and cheer! It's probably the only thing I can think of that all Egyptians have in common. I think it's awesome. And I think if all Egyptians had other things like this in common, then Egypt would be a better place. You know ... for example, as in opposing corruption! Opposing the president and the government! Imagineee if all those people watching the match did some type of protest or revolution. Egypt's disgusting dictatorship might end. And if not, at least we will say we tried.

Good luck Egypt! InshAllah you will win, my love!

Details about our win ... since I suck at explaining sports-related issues: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/01/25/sports/sports-uk-soccer-nations.html

hilarious video: i love egyptian soccer commercials they crack me up!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B_tbLcc0cg

Awesome Female Muslimah: Ambreen, 15, boxer

Again, this doesn't show up in the media often. I love these inspiring young, strong, enthusiastic females! Go Ambreen--sting like a muslimah-butt-kicking- butterfly

Ambreen Sadiq, Muslim girl boxer, aims to combat prejudice to succeed in the ring

Few girls, let alone Muslim girls, can expect to be encouraged to pick up a pair of boxing gloves and go out fighting.

But Ambreen Sadiq, a 15-year-old schoolgirl from Bradford, has overcome opposition in her community to win her latest fight and aim for the 2016 Olympics.

Hailed tonight as a “pioneer” by the Amateur Boxing Association, Ambreen has already won the national female championship for her age and weight.

She has overcome opposition from her community to be nominated as junior sports personality of the year at the British Asian Sports Awards.

In the ring, she transforms from shy Muslim in traditional dress to a rapid-fire fighting machine in shorts, vest and ponytail.

Few Muslim women go into boxing, although one exception is Laila Ali, Mohammed Ali’s daughter, a professional boxer who now hosts American Gladiators.

A Channel 4 documentary tomorrow night shows Ambreen, trained by coach Naz Jalil of Eastburn boxing club, defeat Leigh Park’s Bobbie Clark.

According to one report of the match, Ambreen, who is known as “Beeno”, “dominated her southpaw opponent from the off, catching her with numerous combination shots to go 9-2 up after the first round.”

The Bradford Telegraph and Argus reported: “She continued to pressure Clark, who had no option but to come forward to win some points of her own but each time was met with a barrage of punches, leaving the score 14-3 after round two.

“The third round was Sadiq’s best. Her skills saw her slip Clarke’s punches, making her miss wildly.

“On one occasion, she slipped under a big right, turned Clark and delivered three big shots which forced the referee to give an eight count as the Eastburn girl triumphed 20-5.”

Ambreen has already attended one training session with the England squad.

Her father, Shokit Ali Sadiq, who has encouraged her since childhood, said he had predicted since she was a baby that she would become a boxer. “Nobody would believe me.”

Ambreen said: “I know you should not show your arms and legs off but I am not doing it so I can show my arms and legs off to the whole world. I am doing it so I can enjoy boxing. It is what I want.”

The Muslim Council of Britain said: “We would not take a position against this.” He said some Muslim scholars did, however, regard boxing in general as “inhumane”.

Ayesha Abdeen, vice-chair of the Muslim Women’s Sports Foundation, said: “We believe that women should have an opportunity to take part in sport and keep fit and healthy. A Muslim woman boxer I would say is quite rare.”

Martin Utley, regional coach for the Amateur Boxing Association, said she was one of the top female boxers in Britain: “There are other Muslim girl boxers but not at this competitive level. She is pioneering as far as Muslim girls are concerned in boxing.”