ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 1996 TAG: 9603150007
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NEW YORK
SOURCE: Associated Press
The NBA found itself in a controversy encompassing basketball, religion and freedom of speech Wednesday as a Denver Nuggets player held firm in his refusal to stand for the national anthem.
The NBA has suspended Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf indefinitely without pay. That is costing the Nuggets' leading scorer $31,707 per game.
Abdul-Rauf says he means no disrespect to the flag, but feels ``The Star-Spangled Banner'' is a symbol of tyranny and oppression. He contends the Koran forbids nationalistic ritualism.
The Koran doesn't address the topic specifically and Islamic experts acknowledged that has led to some disagreement among Muslims.
``My intentions were not in any way to be disrespectful to those who regard the national anthem as a sacred ceremony,'' Abdul-Rauf said in a statement Wednesday. ``I am an African-American, a citizen of this country, and one who respects freedom of speech and freedom of expression. From this point on, it is my intention to try and live a peaceful life, play basketball, and perfect my humanity to the highest level possible.''
Abdul-Rauf, who converted to Islam in 1991 and changed his name from Chris Jackson in 1993, began refusing to stand for the anthem at the beginning of this season.
The Nuggets notified the league a month ago and the NBA asked the team to solve the problem quietly. The league has a rule requiring players, coaches and trainers to ``stand and line up in a dignified posture'' during the U.S. and Canadian anthems.
The NBA decided to suspend Abdul-Rauf on Tuesday after the issue became fodder for Denver talk-radio stations and Abdul-Rauf discussed his beliefs at a morning practice.
The players' union said it would support filing a grievance or other efforts to challenge the disciplinary action if the issue cannot be resolved, said Ron Klempner, the union's assistant general counsel.
League spokesman Brian McIntyre said, ``The ball's in his court. This is not a religious issue, it's a simple procedural rule.''
The dispute is believed to be unprecedented in professional sports.
Some athletes have refused to play on certain holy days, notably Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who refused to pitch in a 1965 World Series game on a Jewish holiday. None have been punished for refusing to stand for the national anthem, and no players have been known to take such a public position.
Not all Muslim athletes share Abdul-Rauf's view. Hakeem Olajuwon, star center for the Houston Rockets, said the Koran teaches respect for the customs and traditions of the country in which one lives. ``It's tough for me to understand his position, but in general the Muslim teaching is to obey and respect. To be a good Muslim is to be a good citizen,'' Olajuwon said.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Abdul-Rauf. color.by CNB