Mesut Ozil greets the world’s Muslims
![ozil[1]](https://khutbahbank.org.uk/v2/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ozil1.jpg)
CAIRO – Arsenal Muslim player Mesut Ozil has sent a warm message to world Muslims in Arabic, English and German congratulating them on Prophet Muhammad’s birthday.
“I wish the Islamic world a blessed and happy celebration,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
A similar message was written in Arabic and German as well.
The player’s gesture was widely welcomed on the social media, receiving more than 147,000 likes, 8700 comment and 5000 shares.
The Prophet’s birthday falls on the 12th day of Rabi-ul-Awwal (the third month in the Islamic calendar). This year, it falls on Monday, January 13.
Many Muslims see the Prophet’s birthday as an important time to learn about and reflect on Muhammad’s life.
Lectures and speeches are often recorded and published as podcasts.
Around the world, celebrations of the Prophet’s birthday include stalls selling Islamic books, leaflets, clothing, prayer mats and other materials.
The 25-year-old German footballer plays for the Arsenal in the English premier league and the Germany national football team, and was, until summer 2013, playing for Real Madrid, which bought him in August 2010 following his breakout performance at the FIFA World Cup with Germany.
Qur’an, Prayer: Secrets of Arsenal Star
Unveiling the secrets of his special performance, Mesut Özil is keen on reciting verses of the Noble Qur’an and performing a short prayer before any football game.
“Before the start of any game, I perform a short prayer and recite some verses of the noble Qur’an,” Özil was quoted by Emarat Alyoum newspaper.
“I also ask Allah to grant me success.”
The superstar says that Qur’an and prayers are the secrets of his special performance. “I pray and my teammates know that they cannot talk to me during this brief period,” Özil, of Turkish origin, said.
“And this is the secret of my success.”
Becoming a star from young age, Özil has been a youth national team member since 2006, and a member of the German national team since 2009.
He gained international attention during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was nominated for the Golden Ball Award, which is awarded to the tournament’s best player.
Earlier this month, the Berlin branch of Madame Tussaud’s museum has unveiled a waxwork version of Özil.
At the age of 24, Özil becomes the youngest sportsman to figure in the Berlin museum.
Özil appears wearing his German national team strip, and joins some of the country’s greatest players, including Franz Beckenbauer, Jurgen Klinsmann and former goalkeeper Oliver Khan, as well as Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel in the museum.
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