Nationalism and the Hope of Islam

The political cartoon above is from 2011 when the Iranian women’s soccer team was forbidden from participating in the FIFA World Cup. Surprisingly they were not banned by Iran, but by the FIFA administration at a time when women were the most vocal on drastic change within the Islamic Regime. The women of Iran have big ideas for the transformation of Iran, and this is obvious through their actions described by Foer in relation to soccer and nationalism. Without interference from the West, specifically the US, there is hope that the citizens of Iran could bring about a much-needed transition into a new style of government.

In regards to what Foer calls the “football revolution” and how it impacts the political aspect of Islam he says, “The mere fact that the US is the only force seriously committed to democratizing means that blind hatred for the messenger will undermine the message. The football revolution shows that the best antidote to Islamism might not be something new, but something old- a return to secular nationalism… [The people] will mostly rise up in the name of their nation” (Foer 223). The people of Iran have clearly proven their devotion to soccer, especially the women who have increasingly pushed for more rights when it comes to the popular sport. From sneaking into games, to protesting to watch them on TV to 5,000 women charging the stadium, the women play a key role in pushing for change. If part of the Islamic and Iranian identity is found in soccer, then that will translate into what they hope for the future. Because of the government’s attempts to repress soccer, citizens will use that as a platform to demand more extensive freedoms. It will not be because of the freedoms they see in America or other Western countries, but the desire to life fully in their identity that will motivate them.

The idea of democracy may have a negative connotation in Iran because the message is being blocked by hatred of the messenger, as suggested by Foer. However, there is still an appeal to particularism and the nationalism that stems from the obligation to those in our direct community. This is primarily why democracy pushed by the US would not work in Iran because of the obligation to one another, especially in the face of a perceived enemy.

While Foer suggests good ideas for the motivation of Iran’s people and why soccer is representative of a larger idea, he falls short in understanding the practicality of it all. Iran is still viewed as an aggressor, radical and dangerous in regards to potential nuclear capabilities by much of the world. By painting the people of Iran as citizens who are passionate about a sport and devoted to celebrations of their victories, they become people who are easily relatable to westernized countries. There is a lot more to their story and to their identity than that but because of their enthusiasm about soccer and the freedoms it suggests, there is still hope for a future Iran, though it is hard to say when such a transformation would take place.

http://kavehadel.com/blog/2011/06/political-cartoon-womens-football-dream-grounded/