WORLD CUP MUSLIM PLAYERS ARE FASTING IN HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN

Photo : Karim Benzema, of France, will be fasting during his team's first game — Photo : Karim Benzema, of France, will be fasting during his team’s first game

Brasilia, 1 Ramadan 1435/29 June 2014 (MINA) – World Cup Update for Muslims! . . and maybe a good chance for us to give dawah to folks who like to read about sports (like this article maybe?) . .

Seems the Muslim stars who go to the World Cup, such as Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko and Karim Benzema – are going to be fasting Ramadan while they play!, Islam Newsroom.com quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Sunday

This will be the first time for the Muslims to play during Ramdan since 1986!

Projections are that Ramadan (month of fasting) starts June 28 [see details] – But that will be the first day of Second Round matches . . .

All adult Muslims must fast the daylight hours in the month of Ramadan on the Lunar calendar. As Allah tells us in the Quran:

2:183 “O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting)[] is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqûn.”

2:184 “[Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskîn (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, is better for you if only you know.”

Just like the Catholics have to give up something they love to do for the month of Lent, so do the Muslims. At one time the fasting was prescribed for Christians and later on it became something more suited to the individuals and the circumstances, according to Father Peter Jacobs, who incidentally accepted Islam in July of 1991.

Several Premier League players including Marouane Fellaini, Moussa Dembele and Cheick Tiote are followers of the faith.

Some of the World Cup’s leading stars will have to juggle their religious and footballing commitments with the holy month of Ramadan set to begin during the finals with the holy month of Ramadan set to begin during the finals.

This is the first time since 1986 that Ramadan came during the tournament.

Muslims fast from dawn until dusk during Ramadan and are supposed to refrain from all food and drink – and that could affect scores of players on show in Brazil this summer.

Ramadan begins on June 28 – the first day of Second Round matches – and runs until July 27. Were the likes of France and Ivory Coast to make the last 16 then several of their players would have to manage their religious duties.

‘You definitely need discipline. For me, the first five days are difficult but after that, the body just starts to [adapt] and you feel really happy.

‘You clean your body as well and you feel even stronger after Ramadan. I think it’s amazing how Ramadan can make you really strong.

‘I’ve been observing Ramadan during all the years I’ve been in football. It’s very important that you eat well. It’s important that you eat the right food because you can gain weight or you can have less food in your body.‘

That’s why you need to drink very well. You also need to be aware of what you are doing, because your body is missing things. With the doctor and all the people in the club, we try to work on that. They give me things that I can take to help me feel better.’

So, our question to all Muslims, “What about using the World Cup players and their fasting situations to help other know more about Islam, what it is, and why we do what we do?”

You are requested to leave your thoughts, comments and suggestions (below) – We really do read and share them! (T/P012/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)