Sporting dimensions of Australian Muslim identity

Photo: Nasya Bahfen

Long form radio is a bit of a dying art, so I was privileged to be able to do this type of thing on an occasional basis for Radio National. The last audio documentary I did for the religious affairs program 'Encounter' was about the battle for the sporting hearts and minds of Sydney's much maligned western suburbs. The whole program (audio and transcript plus a cute pic of my sister in Bulldogs and Giants facepaint) can be found on the RN website, and a supplementary article exploring the themes of the program is on the Conversation.

I've since written about this documentary as practice-based research, for a forthcoming issue of the journal 'Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations' guest-edited by Dr Sven Schottmann. I will also deliver a paper on the topic at an upcoming 'Muslims and Sports' workshop organised by SOAS at the University of London. Sadly, Chelsea won't be playing during my visit to the UK, being the football (soccer) off-season.