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| July 16, 2005 | Saturday | Jumadi-us-Sani 8, 1426 |
Amir fights to restore Muslim pride
BOLTON (England), July 15: Olympic Games silver medallist Amir Khan is determined to use his professional debut to highlight the positive side of British Muslims following the London bomb attacks.
Lightweight Amir, who makes his pro bow against Londoner David Bailey on Saturday in front of his home fans, has Pakistani roots and is a British Muslim.
“The worst thing about last week was that some people will tar all Muslims with the same brush,” the 18-year-old told the Daily Mirror newspaper.
“The Asian community has been appalled with what has happened. I hope that by stepping into the ring I can show all young kids in Britain that there are better things to do than getting into trouble and mixing with bad people.
“The world Islam means peace.”
Amir’s popularity can help in race relations, insists his Pakistan-born father Shajaad.
Shajaad moved to England, from Pakistan 35 years ago and became a car mechanic in Bolton.
The 43-year-old wore a Union Jack waistcoat at his son’s fights on the way to a silver medal in Athens and now manages Amir’s affairs as a pro boxer.
And what Amir has done out of the ring and will continue to do as Britain’s highest profile Asian-Muslim sportsman can help inter-racial relations.
“What he has done for the local community is brilliant,” Shajaad said.
“It has helped race relations. He’s an Asian kid and represented Great Britain at the Olympics. People respect him for that so he has helped bring people together whatever their colour or religion.”
Because of amateur boxing rules, there was a delay in allowing Amir - then 17 - to box for Great Britain in Athens which led him to consider an offer to represent Pakistan, where his parents were born.
But it was the British vest he pulled on and because of it he punched his way to national fame.—AFP
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