Sports Personalities Choose Islam
Ramadan fast: Cowboys backrower Cory Paterson has converted to Islam. Picture: Evan Morgan
Source: The Daily Telegraph
During the last few days two sports stars across the globe announced their reversion to Islam. In South Africa, Proteas cricketer Wayne Parnell announced his reversion to Islam whilst in Australia, professional rugby league footballer for North Queensland Cowboys, Cory Paterson, did likewise. Both sports personalities will observe their first period of fasting during the month of Ramadan this year. These stories were covered by the Press Trust of India and The Daily Telegraph.
__________________________________________
South Africa’s Wayne Parnell converts to Islam
Press Trust of India, 28 July 2011
Johannesburg: South African fast bowler Wayne Parnell has converted to Islam after a period of personal study and reflection and will celebrate his 22nd birthday on Friday as a Muslim.
Parnell confirmed in a statement on Thursday that he converted to Islamic faith in January this year and is considering a name change to Waleed, which means ‘Newborn Son’.
“While I have not yet decided on an Islamic name I have considered the name Waleed which means Newborn Son, but for now my name remains Wayne Dillon Parnell. I will continue to respect the team’s endorsement of alcoholic beverages. I am playing cricket in Sussex and this is my immediate focus,” said Port Elizabeth-born Parnell.
“As I am approaching my first period of fasting, I ask that this special time is treated with respect. I am a young man, a professional cricketer by trade, and while I can appreciate and am grateful for the public interest in my personal life, my faith choice is a matter which I would like to keep private,” said the promising Warriors left-arm seam bowler.
Proteas team manager Mohamed Moosajee, himself a Muslim, said Parnell’s Muslim teammates Hashim Amla and Imran Tahir had not influenced his decision to convert from Christianity.
“Wayne already decided a few months ago to follow Islam,” Moosajee said of the cricketer, who excelled during the ICC World Cup on the subcontinent.
“The decision to convert was his own decision, but I know nothing of the name change,” added Moosajee.
Fellow players, preferring to remain anonymous, said they believed Parnell was very serious about his choice of religion and that he had not touched a drop of alcohol, forbidden to Muslims, since the recent Indian Premier League series.
Supporting Moosajee’s denial of influence by Amla, the players said he had never attempted to convert them to his religion, although they had all been very impressed by the discipline and strict adherence that Amla showed to his religion, by refusing to participate in celebrations with them that involved liquor, staying steadfast in his daily prayers even while on tour, and refusing to wear the kit sponsored by South African beer brand Castle Lager.
In his first two years after making his debut for the Proteas in 2009, Parnell developed a hard-living reputation.
In October 2009, he was kicked out of the provincial side Warriors following an incident in a night club in the city of Port Elizabeth in the early hours of the morning.
He came to limelight when he captained the South African Under-19 team in the U-19 World Cup in 2008. He was the youngest player to get a central contract in 2009 at the age of 20 years.
He is the second Christian to have converted to Islam after Pakistan’s Yousuf Youhana (now Mohammad Yousuf) in 2006.
__________________________________________
North Queensland Cowboys NRL star Cory Paterson converts to Islam
Josh Massoud, The Daily Telegraph, 2 August 2011
COWBOYS back-rower Cory Paterson will complete the premiership rounds on a demanding Islamic fast after recently becoming a Muslim.
Paterson yesterday emulated Bulldogs great Hazem El Masri as just the second player in NRL history to tackle the holy month of Ramadan, which forbids Muslims from eating or drinking during daylight hours.
Given the physical demands of full-time training in tropical Townsville, it’s a huge challenge that yesterday prompted discussions with North Queensland officials.
Paterson will also be involved in four matches, however all will be staged at night when he is permitted to rehydrate.
Unlike El Masri, a Muslim since birth, Paterson has never fasted before and it’s understood the 24-year-old’s religious conversion only took place around the time he transferred from Newcastle in June.
When contacted yesterday, Paterson confirmed he was now a Muslim and had started fasting. But he declined to elaborate until speaking with new manager Khoder Nasser, a devout Muslim who was instrumental in Anthony Mundine’s conversion a decade ago.Paterson also spent yesterday afternoon discussing his new routine with North Queensland coach Neil Henry and football manager Peter Parr, both of whom were unaware of the Perth product’s personal sacrifice.
Paterson convinced the pair that his ability to train or play would not be compromised, because Ramadan allows necessary exceptions based on employment – and particularly so for first-timers.
“He’s explained how it won’t impact on his preparation or performance,” Parr told The Daily Telegraph. “There’s no hard and fast rule for everyone. Given the nature of his employment, there’s an opportunity there to do what he has to do (to be his best).
“It’s not for me to go into Cory’s personal life, other than to say that Neil (Henry) and I are comfortable with the way it’s being done.”
Paterson joined Nasser’s camp after becoming close with stablemates Mundine and Sonny Bill Williams during the latter’s preparation for a fight in Newcastle early this year.
His conversion to Islam was immediately tipped, but not confirmed until Sunday when Paterson used his Twitter account to inform followers of his impending fast.
“Big challenge for me starting tomoro (sic),” he tweeted. “Looking forward to it and the satisfaction and discipline it will bring.”
Paterson subsequently received several messages of support – including one from Mundine – and peppered his replies with Arabic phrases such as “salaam” (peace) and “Insallah” (God willing). “Thank u. Will test me but Insallah it all goes well,” he tweeted.
Unwanted by incoming Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett, Paterson was given permission to join North Queensland on a three-year deal mid-season.
__________________________________________
Sources:
http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/176446-south-africas-wayne-parnell-converts-to-islam
Photo:
http://www.sportpulse.net/content/wayne-parnell-now-whallid-parnell-1326