OnIslam.net

CAIRO – A leading football star and a devout Muslim, Bachar Houli is becoming a role model for the Muslim community in Australia, The Herald Sun reported Wednesday, July 13.

"I'm grateful for the position I've been put in,” Houli said.

“I've got a role to play and that is to educate others about the way I live and the belief system I follow."

Born to Lebanese parents, Houli, 23, is a prominent star in the Australian Football League.

Known for his religious commitment, the Richmond player has become a role model for many Australian Muslims.

"It's all about being proud of who you are and talking about it because a lot of people don't understand,” a proud Houli said.

“And it's about educating them that I've got a couple of different ways I go about life."

Muslims, who have been in Australia for more than 200 years, make up 1.7 percent of its 20-million population.

In post 9/11 Australia, Muslims have been haunted with suspicion and have had their patriotism questioned.

A 2007 poll taken by the Issues Deliberation Australia (IDA) think-tank found that Australians basically see Islam as a threat to the Australian way of life.

A recent governmental report revealed that Muslims are facing deep-seated Islamophobia and race-based treatment like never before.

Thankful

Houli started his football career when he was 11.

"Initially, I found it awkward and I was kind of scared because my parents weren't aware that I was going to play and they were really against it," said the former Essendon player.

"It was the old trick of putting the teddy bear underneath the blanket. I got away with it a few times, but it didn't last too long.”

When the family discovered he was playing football, Houli found support from his brother.

"Luckily my brother backed me up and said, 'You've got to let the kid play and enjoy what he's doing'."

Becoming a professional footballer, Houli began to worry that his career might clash with his faith. But his found all support from his current and former teams.

"They've both been very, very supportive. They have offered me a number of rooms to perform my prayers."

Muslims pray five times a day.

"All I need is a little space to do my thing. I perform one prayer before the game and if it clashes with another one I perform that prayer after the game," Houli said.

"With our religion it's all about cleanliness and being clean so coming in at halftime you're going to be quite sweaty and not smelling all that good.

“When we pray it's as if we're facing God, so we have to present ourselves in the best form."

Even in Ramadan, Houli finds support from his coach to help him fulfil his religious duties.

"I just had a meeting with a fitness coach to discuss what's best in terms of training," he said.

"They're very supportive in terms of limiting my program to a shorter day and lesser loads and stuff like that."

Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, is set to start in August this year.

Muslims in Ramadan, except for the sick and those traveling, refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk.