But remember: those who report on stories such as this are the haters, not people like Hassan Shehata. Islamic Tolerance Alert from Egypt: “Egypt’s soccer boss says piety key to making team,” by Hamza Hendawi for the Associated Press, January 14 (thanks to Block Ness):
CAIRO — The coach of Egypt’s national soccer team says he only wants players who observe Islam and the selection of his squad is based equally on religious piety and skill.
The comments by Hassan Shehata, published Thursday in Egyptian newspapers, show how sports and religion are increasingly mixing in the overwhelmingly Muslim nation of some 80 million….
He said “pious behavior” was the main category for selection.
“Without it, we will never select any player regardless of his potential. I always strive to make sure that those who wear the Egypt jersey are on good terms with God.”…