BAYERN MUSLIM PLAYERS REFUSE GLASSES OF BEER

Munchen, 13 Dhulqa’dah 1436/28 August 2015 (MINA) – Two Muslim players in German football giants Bayern Munich have refused to hold glasses of beer in a promotional photoshoot earlier this week, holding onto their religious beliefs.

In the photo, Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola joined his players in holding a glass of beer while donning traditional lederhosen, On Islam quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The only exceptions were French Muslim mid-fielder Frank Ribery and Moroccan Mehdi Benatia who refused to hold beer in their hands.

The players refrained from posing with the alcoholic beverage as it goes against Islamic religious beliefs.

The photoshoot came as part of the German club’s sponsorship deal with Paulaner brewery after the team won its first two Bundesliga matches.

The Bayern Munich midfielder is believed to have reverted to Islam in 2006 after marrying a Muslim woman of Moroccan origin.

Though he rarely speaks about his faith, Ribery recently told Le Paris Match magazine that he felt “safe” with Islam.

In 2012, Ribery opened an alcohol-free bar that would serve fruit juices, in an effort to fight alcohol addiction.

Called “O’Shahiz”, the bar takes its name from Ribery’s two daughters Shahinez and Hizya.

Ribery was furious with Jerome Boateng when, during Bayern’s Bundesliga title celebrations in 2013, his team-mate poured a huge glass of beer on his head.

Islam takes an uncompromising stand in prohibiting intoxicants. It forbids Muslims from drinking or even selling alcohol.

The general rule in Islam is that any beverage that get people intoxicated when taken is unlawful, both in small and large quantities, whether it is alcohol, drugs, fermented raisin drink or something else. (T/P006/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)