ARSENAL SOCCER PLAYER MESUT OZIL WISHES MUSLIMS HAPPY IN MAWLID

London , 12 Rabiul Awal 1435 / 14 Januari 2014 ( MINA ) – Arsenal Muslim soccer 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. On Islam media reported quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

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 (On January 14 in Indonesia).

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.

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.

Premier League season is just around the corner as the first match will be played on 18th August 2013 and in the meantime many Premier League players who happen to be Muslims and that is something Premier League manager of the concerned players have to look at before the season gets underway.

There are fair share of Muslim players in the Premier League and we take a look at each and every player, where he is from and what clubs he has played in English Premier League. Some of the player are pretty high profile with the likes of Samir Nasri, Yaya Toure who play for Manchester City, quite a few in Arsenal and some surprise names who you never though are practicing Islam with Bosnia born Manchester City player Edin Dzeko.(T/P04/IR/mirajnews.com )

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency ( MINA )