Interesting Facts About Sports Entertainment in Arabic Countries
Maksym YushytsynThe Arab world is full of mysteries and controversies. Muslim countries differ from other countries in many things including attitude towards sports entertainment. Every nation has its own special traditional kinds of sports that match its customary lifestyle harmonically. Get acquainted with several interesting facts about the sports and entertainment industries on the territory of Arabic countries.
Muslims have their own sports traditions, entertainment which got formed by the influence of culture, climate, and local nature. Camel racing is often a national kind of sport in Arabic countries for a reason. This activity has become their favorite entertainment. You could try and find such dedicated fans as local citizens.
Gambling has even been called as “Maysir” in Koran. This word is defined as easiness of getting money. According to Sharia, gambling is something where you can gain money or lose it. This explains hazard: when you take risks, you either lose or win. Any game based on assumptions and chance is prohibited and if a game needs calculation and thinking, it is blessed.
How does Islam Interpret Sports Entertainment?
Bets of sports competitions are haraam (sinful deals) and a Muslim should not use the money earned this way.
But there are definite exceptions when some bets are conditionally allowed in Arabic countries – bets on the competitions are allowed by Sharia. These events are horse races, camel races, elephant races, rally, sailing competitions, canoe competitions, and boat competitions.
Sports Entertainment in Muslim Countries: What Can You Do and What Cannot You Do?
Koran judges hazard nature. Even a chess game is banned in Saudi Arabia. Now chess championships are held in the country but you are not allowed to place any bets on the outcome of a sports battle.
Iran stands out with even stricter rules. You cannot bring cards in the country and if somebody takes risks making back-street bets on sports, this person will wind up in prison or get even more severe punishment.
Some Arabic countries make money on tourism so they try to ease the rules for foreign tourists that are allowed to play there without involving locals in the gaming process.
As for Turkey, even though it is a Muslim country, it is more secular according to its approach. Turkey is notable for its loyal laws. Numerous European tourists head for the country, so there are many exceptions about gambling both online and offline. Local government blocks back-street companies and imposes huge fines on them.
Elite Horse Races
Horse racing is very popular in Arab countries and the World Cup held annually in Dubai has become the most discussable favorite event for betters. Its prize fund is set at 10000000 dollars. The competition attracts thousands of tourists from different parts of the world – they come to the Meydan Racecourse to see the best horses on the track with their own eyes.
There are no bookmaker’s offices but foreigners have a chance to make bets at offshore companies.
Betters from Arabic countries can place a bet on their favorite event with international licensed operators that are allowed to offer their service to those who live in the region.
Camel Races
Camel racing is spread almost in all countries of the Arab world. Camel races as well as horse races attract many tourists and sportsbook companies provide them with an opportunity to make a bet.
According to experts, camel racing is a very exciting show, a place of hazard and big bets. Races are not cheap. The cost of an animal with a good ancestry may turn over one million dollars. The jockeys used to be only boys aged up to 15 years old but development of innovative technologies let us use robots controlled remotely and weighed from two to three kilos. Most of the problems related to the horsemen’s injuries have become irrelevant.
It is a common practice to have considerable sums of money at stake — these are rewards starting with golden swords to expensive cars. So camel racing is not only a spectacular show, it is a profitable business for its owners as well as great entertainment and a chance to place good bets for foreign betters.
Football Competition and Hazard
One of the favorite kinds of sport for many citizens of Muslim countries is football, they like making bets on local and international football games. Sports competition and online bets are very popular among Arabic betters but there are a few sites of sportsbook companies in this language. Currently, many international bookmaker’s offices have entered the Arabic market to satisfy all new-comers. These online platforms let Arabic betters make bets on their favorite games, races, and other sports events.
By the way, Qatar has become the first Arabic country to get the right to hold the World Championship in 2022. Now many international sportsbook companies have started to prepare for this outstanding event seriously.
In the modern world including the Muslim one, a human sometimes has to put in many physical and mental efforts and they need rest and entertainment. The most important is not to break the Islam norms with the pleasant pastime so a Muslim should never forget about their obligations regulated by Koran and Sunnah.