In this world there are only two international languages, soccer and music. And, if there is one that is fluent in both languages, it is Liverpool. That is what was said by Fritz Pleitgen of Die Zeit magazine.
By
Sindhunata
·5 minutes read
In this world there are only two international languages, soccer and music. And, if there is one that is fluent in both languages, it is Liverpool. That is what was said by Fritz Pleitgen, a sports correspondent of Die Zeit magazine on May 12, 2017. He took the words from his colleague, Neil Peterson, who drove him around to see the city of Liverpool and its soccer activities.
Indeed, a beautiful musical language emerged from Liverpool in 1960 when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr formed the band The Beatles. Their music soon became a global language, loved and sung everywhere. Later, with Yoko Ono, Lennon wrote the song "Imagine" that inspired the world to love peace.
"Imagine" invited people to imagine a world in which peace reigns, with no limits or barriers, either religion or nationalism, to separate people. A world with no more killing. In which greed and famine vanish, and where everyone just wants to share.
Maybe it was just a dream. However, Lennon believed, someday many people would want to create a world that is united and peaceful.
Ahead of the 2018 Champions League final in Kiev, another worldwide hit from Liverpool was born. This time the hit was not in the field of music, but the round ball. That hit is Mohamed Salah. Like the musical hit "Imagine", Mo Salah\'s skills with the ball also inspire people to feel that the world can one day be united and peaceful.
As if not by coincidence, this year’s Champions League final falls in the holy month of Ramadhan, when Muslims undergo sanctification and repent, so that later they can celebrate the day of victory happily, peacefully and cheerfully.
“Islam-Salah is great”, that is a phrase that praises both Islam and Salah at once. Because of his achievements with the ball, Salah has become a hero not only in his native land, Egypt, but also throughout the Arab world.
Salah really loves his religion. Every time he scores a goal, he is grateful to God. God always bestows His goodness, also on the soccer field, so is his belief. Salah is a devout Muslim. On the sidelines of training, no matter how heavy, every Friday, Salah together with Sadio Mane always take time to perform Jumatan (Friday prayer) at the local mosque in Liverpool.
When beginning his career in Egypt, he had to travel for hours, back and forth to Cairo for training. Young people in the Arab world think Salah set an example that with discipline and willpower, everything is possible.
After Liverpool\'s win over AS Roma, BBC journalist Rabiya Limbada wrote that a figure like Salah was important for Muslim children. For them, Salah is an Islamic example of pop culture. "By hearing or seeing the news of Salah, Muslim children think that they too need to show openly their origins and religion. Not surprisingly, a player like Salah really sparks their spirit."
"Salah is like the David Beckham of Islam," said Akmed Musleh, a loyal Liverpool fan. According to Musleh, Salah is not impacted by the usual issues that affect star players. Salah does not look for publicity, he appears just the way he is.
"Salah does not hide. He is proud of his origins and his religion. And this provides another view about Islam. When people are plagued by phobias against Islam, Salah can soften the phobia," said Musleh.
Liverpool fans clearly respect and love Salah. Up in the tribune, Liverpool’s fanatical fans sing the song, "If he scores another few I\'ll be a Muslim/ He’s sitting in the mosque/ That\'s where I want to be".
Like the songs of other fans, of course it is just humor. However, according to Musleh, when in the West people are gripped with fear and suspicion against Islam, the song sounds entertaining: Islam goes into the stadium and is sung with joy and excitement by people who may have been fearful and less familiar with it.
Philosophy of the ball
Can Salah score another goal and take Liverpool to victory? This is the heavy duty Salah and his friends will take on in Kiev. Their opponent, Real Madrid, does not care about the euphoria around Salah. They just want to win and hunt for a record three consecutive Champions League trophies.
"This is the final. There is no other word for you except to suffer," said Zinedine Zidane to his players. Ronaldo and his friends already know and have experienced suffering. With an immeasurable amount of effort, they surpassed PSG, Juventus and Bayern Munich in thrilling matches.
They may be left behind, but the failure makes them discover the "second-round ball philosophy". After a pause, they suddenly find a new way to defeat their opponents. The loud reprimand and coercion of coach Zizou seemed to be the fire and aggression they needed to make something impossible possible. That was the time when Zizou\'s appeal "to suffer" bore fruit in their victory.
Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp is aware that "Champions League victory is in the DNA of Real Madrid". Real has been champion 12 times. "There are no other more experienced teams in the Champions League than Real Madrid. They are experienced and we are not. But, we are ready," Klopp said. Real is great, but Klopp said they too have a weak point.
Liverpool is the underdog. They would be happy to win and if Salah scores a goal. However, if not, the phenomenon that is Mo Salah has spread an important message about Islam, which is open, proud, tawadu (humble), willing to share and loved.
Indeed, sometimes the ball can do more for peace than politics and religion.