Call him or 'Mo' or 'Mohamed'...I guess it doesn't matter (From Asian Image)

Call him or 'Mo' or 'Mohamed'...I guess it doesn't matter

4:00pm Monday 13th August 2012 in United Kingdom news By Amjad Malik

Call him or 'Mo' or call him 'Mohamed'...I guess it doesn't matter

As Mohamed Farah crossed the line on Saturday night to secure his second gold medal many British Muslims had more reasons to celebrate.

It had been an inspirational week for not only for ‘Mo’ but for the Great British team. Although the Olympics were held during the month of Ramadhan, every single event was being analysed.

Yes, it would have more suitable if the Olympics had not taken place during the month of Ramadhan. Many more would have attended the games in greater numbers.

But on ‘Super Saturday’ just after Iftari (fast breaking time) Mo took part in the 10,000m. He ran himself to a gold medal.

A week later in the 5000m at 7.42pm he was crowned king of the 5000m. This should now be a defining moment for British Muslims and in particular all those who have trashed Muslims on their front pages for many years.

The following day I have to say I went out and bought several Sunday newspapers. It was wonderful to read ‘Mo-mentous’ and different headlines with the word ‘Mo’ in them.

I sense though that many newspaper editors were almost glad he had already been nicknamed ‘Mo’. To have Mohamed blazing across the front pages might have been a little too much for some to take. Although would it have really mattered?

Who cares what his name is and what his background is – he was running for Great Britain.

Maybe using ‘Mo’ lessened the blow and took away the fact that we are a truly multi-cultural country.

Like it or lump it…this is Britain in the 21st century and as a nation we can win all these gold medals never won before.

I do hope that the Olympics bring with them a sense of change in the attitudes towards Muslims. This is what the Olympic games do.

It is not up to Mo Farah to stand as role model. He should not have to.

When the games began I was hoping nothing untoward would happen to take the attention away from the spirit of the Olympics. I feared how the Olympics would be remembered.

I feel now I want the games to go on and more British Muslims to step forward and be held up high like national heroes.

I guess it doesn’t matter whether they call him ‘Mo’ and we call him Mohamed- either way he was magnificent.