Professor Kamaludeen Mohamed Nasir's Book on Football, Islam and Identity Takes Centre Stage at Cultural Discussion Forum
How do football, faith and identity intersect in today's globalised world? These were among the questions explored during the Cultural Discussion Forum (FDB) Special Edition #101, held on 13 July 2026, which featured Dribbling Divides: Football, Islam, and Identity, the latest book by our Sociologist, Professor Kamaludeen Mohamed Nasir.
Published by Oxford University Press, the book examines football beyond its role as a sport, presenting it as a powerful lens through which to understand religion, politics and identity. Through the experiences of elite Muslim footballers, it explores issues such as Islamophobia, the public expression of faith, digital activism, and the ways in which global football shapes broader conversations about belonging, citizenship and social change.
Held amid the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the forum brought together scholars and researchers to discuss the book's key themes and their relevance to contemporary society. Participants reflected on how football has become a space where cultural, religious and political identities are negotiated, while considering the wider implications of sport in an increasingly interconnected world.
The discussion offered a platform for an engaging exchange of ideas, highlighting the value of interdisciplinary research in understanding the complex relationship between sport, religion and society.
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