First Islamic Solidarity Games starts in Saudi Arabia

4/7/2005 7:50:00 AM GMT

Source: PakTribune.com

Between 5,000 and 6,000 athletes from 55 Islamic States will participate in 11-day games to open at a spectacular inaugural ceremony Friday at a 38,000 capacity stadium in Makkah, Saudi Arabia – which houses the Kaaba where millions of Muslims converge during the annual Haj pilgrimage, with the aim of projecting a more positive image of Islam to the world. Organizers hope the events will give a new image of life in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, than what is being presented in the Western media.

"We hope the games will show the truth of Islam, which is that it is a religion of peace," said games director Saleh bin Nasser.

The games will take place in the Saudi cities of Mecca, Medina, Jeddah and Taif.

"Mecca and Medina were chosen from the start because of their significance to Islam," Nasser said. "We then had to expand to Jeddah and Taif because we needed more room."

The groundbreaking multi-event meet has the potential to become one of the most important fixtures in the world of sports, said Abdul Khaliq Khan, Acting Secretary-General of Pakistan Olympic Association and member of the organizing committee of the games.

"Many international athletes are participating in the games in which athletes from African Muslim countries have an upper hand," said Abdul Khaliq.

Abdul Khaliq, moreover, praised the Saudi Youth Welfare Presidency and its officials for their efforts to make the event a big success.

According to Abdul Khaliq, a 140-strong Pakistani contingent including 96 athletes will participate in 10 events including basketball, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, swimming, athletics, karate, taekwondo, football and handball.

Saudi Arabian Airlines is providing 50 free return tickets to each participating country, in an attempt to strengthen the Muslim unity and encouraging Muslim youth to put in their competitive best.

The second Islamic Solidarity Games will be held in 2009 in Iran under the auspices of the Organization of Islamic Conference.