The West Indian . Jan 24, 2015 . Page 57 Amla also found time Pandit Chunelall would Pandit ChunelallNarine Alma’s fi rst series as fi Alma’s captain at home was Indies West against the and he went on to lead his team to a decisive 2-0 victory in 2015 to cement their ranking Test as the top team in own Amla’s cricket. contributions were stel- scored He a double lar. century in the First and he reached the Test 5,000 mark in Day One Cricket. friendfor his Pandit After a year Chunelall. they met again in Janu- Amla that says ary 2015. the teampracticing is World hard for the 2015 Cup that willplace take AustraliaNew and in Zealand. wants the He South that know to world Africabe will going all World out to win the Amla has Cup this time. a special for his word America. Northfans in ‘ I would like says, He to thank all my fans in hope to meet with you proudbe I amsoon. to a African and hon- South oured to represent my country captain.’ as North America and I North like to thank his friends Africa for their in South Pt. Praveen hospitality. Maharaj is a stalwart and Kes- his two nephews hav Maharaj and Kushen play Kishun in the Minor Amla Leagues and know well. Pandit Chunelall says, Amla is one of ‘ Hashim the humblestbeings human I have ever met. him I wish allbest the in the future.’ agrees that there is need for tolerancepersons to and for learn about each other ‘as havewe more in common that havewe differences.’ ‘ when a‘ when guy tries toapol- ogize, even if its that kind judge to is who of apology, ifAnd it Almighty. but the promptsperson another to nd out fi to make an effort what Islam means, then a prejudiceslot of be will blown away.’ blown away.’ BY DR. DHANPAUL NARINE DHANPAUL DR. BY If the publicIf the thought that Amla admitted that he was such a stupid statement.’ beAmla would upset at the remarks they were mistaken. Amla smiled and said that according to the teachings of Islam, ‘ if anyone tries to them. apologize, you forgive all haveprej- some inward We udices that need we to address race or whetherbe it of colour, religion.’ hurt at thebut remark he added, during a Test Match between Match Test during a Africa Sri Lanka and South at Colombo. was Dean Jones doing the television commen- Amla When taries at the time. took a catchto dismiss Kumar Sangakkara heard was Jones saying, ‘ the terrorist got anoth- The switchboards er wicket.’ jammedwere with complaints asked toand was make Jones a did Jones apolo- full apology. gize saying, ‘ I have no end of respect for the Muslim faith- I’m at why sorry making that’s outh African Test cricket captain,Test African outh Amla. They Hashim Week This happened in 2006 Amlaprincipled is also a sportsman. In an age when Amla has money dominates stoodrm against certain fi a MuslimAs he endorsements. has strong views against the use of alcohol and he refused to have logos on his clothing that eld is alcoholfi related. the On Amla is calm and cool and is not involved in sledging. It was most disappointing Dean when language used offensive Jones Amla. to describe a Muslim familythat has roots in Gujarat in India. learned He Africa and his cricket in South torose captain the Under-19 Amla impressed team in 2002. the selectors and in 2004 he picked playwas to for South Africa against India. Since then becomeAmla has one of the batsmantop in the His world. and one-day record are Test formidable. is He wristy has inching determination and unfl is an epitome of humility.

of The of

Amla was bornAmla in in Durban was A conversation ensued and A bring peoples together. Amla bring peoples together. soft-spoken, tolerantwas of beliefsother and courteous and respectful. invited He Pt. Match Test Chunelall to the Amla, as in Hashim Durban. proud isthe a world knows, and devout Muslim. was He appointed captain of the South side in June 2014 Test African and he has shouldered the re- cently. sponsibility magnifi he was and he I introduced when was myself he said Hashim he was said Pandit Chunelall. Amla,’ they spoke about cricketbefore turning to other subjects such peace cricket and how can A Beautiful Friendship! Beautiful A are are symbols of peace, tolerance respect. and mutual A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP: Pandit Chunelall Narine (right) with his S friend Chunelall Pandit Narine (right) FRIENDSHIP: A BEAUTIFUL

Pandit Chunelall Narine and South South and Narine Chunelall Pandit

ne is a Hindu priest, the other a other the priest, Hindu a is ne be to happens that Muslim devout

As he was working out he was As It on a warm was and Ten years ago an Ten A year ago a unique A Amla is the fi rst South Amlafi is the

African Cricket Captain, Amla Hashim African Cricket PROFILE the Test cricket captain of South Afri- South of captain cricket Test the Na- Chunelall Pandit is priest ca. The Hashim is captain cricket the and rine

Amla. O a young man with a shaven beard of ow headfl and a full entered the gym. had ‘ He no airs aboutbody- him, no andguards, one could see his humility from a distance. who know Atrst I didn’t fi sunny daysunny in January Pt. Chunelall2014 when decided to visit the gym in Africa. It inDurban South thewas height of the South African cricket season as well. event occurred that would change Pandit life. was He Chunelall’s Yagna ciating at a offi or prayer meeting in a when devotee Texas approached him. He invited Pandit Chunelall Africa as to visit South thereHindus needed spiritual guidance. Pandit Chunelall agreed and he become has now a leader in the Hindu Renaissance Movement in South Africa. attracts devotees from as York allNew over they gather to worship and to listen to Pandit discourses. Chunelall’s and Hashim Amla that and Hashim for toler- has lessons ance and respect. Pandit ChunelallNarine is the of the priest-in- charge Bhavan, a Trimurti Shri Hindu temple in Queens, friendship blossomedfriendship cricket. Pandit Chunelall’s cricket. Pandit Chunelall’s grandfather Pandit was Balkaran. left He India with his mother Dilla, on a boundboat for British justGuiana, he when was six months old. African of Indian heritage to New York. The temple York. New between Pt. Chunelall play for his country in Test Test play for his country in