[VIDEO] Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali on the importance of faith and diversity, and Hajj

[MenInG]

Excellent work by Sky and kudos to Eoin Morgan also:

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[James]

Brilliant interview.

Great insight and educational too.

 

[daytrader]

Congrats to both for completing Hajj. Glad to see both are genuine about following the faith rather than taking benefits of the minority card. Their conviction and knowledge came across the interview

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Beautiful

 

[MenInG]

Moeen Ali says he "cherishes" being part of a diverse England cricket team and that the "very special" nature of the changing room has created an accepting environment.

The 35-year-old all-rounder has made 235 international appearances across all formats, and in 2020 became the first Muslim and British Asian to captain England in a T20 game.

The Hajj is an annual journey to the sacred city in Saudi Arabia that all Muslims with physical and financial means are expected to carry out once in their lifetime.

Moeen and Rashid sat down with their former captain Eoin Morgan ahead of England's ODI series opener against South Africa on Tuesday to discuss their faith, and the latter's recent journey.

Asked by Morgan whether the diversity in the changing room has helped the level of acceptance and education around the group, Moeen said: "100 per cent.

"Since Rash was away, I had to answer a lot of questions about Haj, which has been great. That sort of dialogue is really important, and it works both ways obviously.

"The diversity around the group and team has been really good for a while now, anybody can come in and out of the changing room from any sort of background or differences that they have, and everyone just sort of fits like a glove almost."

Moeen and Rashid were key players in the England squad that triumphed on home soil in the 2019 50-over World Cup. England's team in the final was led by the Irish Morgan, and included Barbados-born fast bowler Jofra Archer, along with South-African born Jason Roy and New-Zealand born Ben Stokes.

Moeen continued: "It's really, really good and something that we love, and we do cherish as much as we can because we know how good it is and it's not always the case in all changing rooms, but this is a very special changing room and it means a lot."

Rashid had previously found it difficult to make the pilgrimage due to timings and commitments, but the leg-spinner and his wife made the trip after he got the green light from both Yorkshire and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Having returned from Hajj, Rashid praised the ECB and his county for leaving him with an "easy" decision.

"I spoke to the ECB, I spoke to yourself (Morgan) being my captain at the time - you were my go-to person - the encouragement, the backing that I got from the ECB and Yorkshire was magnificent," Rashid said.

"It was something that made my life easier, the decision was very easy, there wasn't really much to think about.

"(It was an) unbelievable experience. Something that as a Muslim that we have to do, if you've got the means, if you're able to, if you're mentally and physically fit. It's something that I've been wanting to do for a little while, but obviously with cricket it's been a bit difficult.

"It was the experience of a lifetime. It teaches a lot of things, it teaches patience, it also teaches you to be grateful for what you have."

Skycricket

 

[Double Trouble]

Nice interview

Some good answers from both Haji Sahib

 

[Champ_Pal]

Subcontinent needs diversity the most.

 

[MenInG]

I wonder if similar such stories come out of US Sports? Is UK ahead in this sense?

 

[SpiritOf1903]

I wonder if similar such stories come out of US Sports? Is UK ahead in this sense?

I think US is already ahead of the curve as many Muslim sports personalities, namely Ali

 

[shaz619]

I think US is already ahead of the curve as many Muslim sports personalities, namely Ali

That was a long time ago, the US is a different world now.

UK is light years ahead when it comes to inclusivity in the workplace. US have a different working environment to the UK as is and I can’t imagine as much understanding for ones faith there.

Also, I don’t know any mainstream muslim sports people there right now who are vocal about their faith and beliefs ?

 

[Champ_Pal]

USA is super inclusive. Minority, Black, Muslim, LGBTQ individuals are heavily promoted by the Leftists.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I wonder if similar such stories come out of US Sports? Is UK ahead in this sense?

Id say this was a nice PR stunt by the ECB after the Azeem Rafiq issues.

Not that Im criticising, its great they have given air time to two Muslims cricketers who explained the importance of their faith.

However ideally Sport should only be discussed in Sport but we live in sensitive times.

 

[shaz619]

Id say this was a nice PR stunt by the ECB after the Azeem Rafiq issues.

Not that Im criticising, its great they have given air time to two Muslims cricketers who explained the importance of their faith.

However ideally Sport should only be discussed in Sport but we live in sensitive times.

Mo came across well, Rashid is a nice fella but the “thank you ECB” was a bit OTT really, must have said it a good few times. You can take annual leave and go Hajj bro, don’t need anyones “support”

It is strange to see Morgan interview them. He created a truly unique dressing room culture for the LOI team, it showed in his leadership to and what the team stands for.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Mo came across well, Rashid is a nice fella but the “thank you ECB” was a bit OTT really, must have said it a good few times. You can take annual leave and go Hajj bro, don’t need anyones “support”

It is strange to see Morgan interview them. He created a truly unique dressing room culture for the LOI team, it showed in his leadership to and what the team stands for.

Agree. Morgan is a natural born leader, he gains the respect of his players, ecourages them to improve in all areas of their lives. Its not coincidence England became the No.1 ODI team under him.

Yes Rashid heard Moeen went 8/9 years ago so made up the excuse he couldn't get time off.

In a day & age where cricketers take leave because their wife is about to give birth to her 6th child, missing a series for Hajj wouldn't be an issue.

I think the negative issues have been mostly regarding county cricket. England team has never had any such issues. The fact cricket is played by handful of a nations, players get to know others from various nations, helps connect various cultures.

 

[James]

Rashid is a nice fella but the “thank you ECB” was a bit OTT really, must have said it a good few times. You can take annual leave and go Hajj bro, don’t need anyones “support”

Don’t see much wrong with it. Adil took his leave in the middle of the English season. I know he had to go at this particular time but it is still quite a rare request that has to be agreed by the ECB.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Agree. Morgan is a natural born leader, he gains the respect of his players, ecourages them to improve in all areas of their lives. Its not coincidence England became the No.1 ODI team under him.

Yes Rashid heard Moeen went 8/9 years ago so made up the excuse he couldn't get time off.

In a day & age where cricketers take leave because their wife is about to give birth to her 6th child, missing a series for Hajj wouldn't be an issue.

I think the negative issues have been mostly regarding county cricket. England team has never had any such issues. The fact cricket is played by handful of a nations, players get to know others from various nations, helps connect various cultures.

I think Moeen would've been a fringe player at Worcestershire then do it definitely revitalised him!.

Also agree a ten minute segment is lip service and more could be made of it with these two bring exemplary members of the faith.

I also want Rashid back in red ball. This nonsense about not playing county doesn't apply to Jonny, who I admire.

 

[BouncerGuy]

England star Moeen Ali feared growing a beard might lead to racism

Moeen Ali feared growing a beard as part of his strong Muslim faith might lead to him being labelled an extremist.

Moeen, England's World Cup vice-captain, said his decision to grow the beard early in his career was inspired by South Africa's Hashim Amla.

'Muhammad Ali was a massive inspiration for me because of his upbringing and becoming a Muslim,' Moeen, 36, told Sky Sports.

'Then Hashim Amla as a cricketer in South Africa having a big beard. If he can do it, why can't I? It's what I wanted to do but I was a bit afraid at the time. I was young and I didn't want people to think — even my own family — I was extreme or becoming an extremist.

'Because at that time, that's all people were talking about — Muslims being extreme.'

Ali is set to be in action when England play Afghanistan in their latest World Cup round robin match on Sunday.

England lost their opener to New Zealand but beat Bangladesh by 137 runs on Tuesday.

Daily Mail​

 

[Bhaijaan]

England star Moeen Ali feared growing a beard might lead to racism

Moeen Ali feared growing a beard as part of his strong Muslim faith might lead to him being labelled an extremist.

Moeen, England's World Cup vice-captain, said his decision to grow the beard early in his career was inspired by South Africa's Hashim Amla.

'Muhammad Ali was a massive inspiration for me because of his upbringing and becoming a Muslim,' Moeen, 36, told Sky Sports.

'Then Hashim Amla as a cricketer in South Africa having a big beard. If he can do it, why can't I? It's what I wanted to do but I was a bit afraid at the time. I was young and I didn't want people to think — even my own family — I was extreme or becoming an extremist.

'Because at that time, that's all people were talking about — Muslims being extreme.'

Ali is set to be in action when England play Afghanistan in their latest World Cup round robin match on Sunday.

England lost their opener to New Zealand but beat Bangladesh by 137 runs on Tuesday.

Daily Mail​

He’s one of the finest Muslims playing cricket at present.