I haven't been on here much lately so forgive me if this has been discussed. This year, Ramadan spans from Sept 13th through Oct 12th. As you may know during this time of year Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. So how is this affecting Arsenal? Van Persie and Toure are Muslim, and I think Eboue is too. How can they play a game in the middle of the day, and not drink water? I play 3 times a week and I would not feel good if I couldn't have water during or after games. Not to mention the fact that they have to eat big meals after sunset and before sunrise to get all their calories for the day. I mean these guys are obviously super athletes but to play top flight games with no water seems outrageous to me.
My Muslim friend was telling me the other day about certain exceptions, I'll ask him about sports and post what he tells me.
My understanding is that van Persie isn't extremely devout. As for the others, well, Kolo Toure doesn't eat- he kicks ass until he is full.
Cool, thanks. Actually, I saw Van Persie taking some nutrient gel when he came off, so there must be some exceptions.
The exceptions are: being sick or having a medical condition that prevent fasting e.g. kidney problems, traveling (more than 90 miles), being too old or too young, pregnant women, and also during that time of the month for women. However, most devout Muslims still chose to fast even if they have a permission (exception). And most Muslims would consider not fasting so you can play football to be "wrong". But playing at this level while fasting is very difficult. BTW, I understand Trarore is also Muslim.
Im sure ive seen them drink water but even if they didnt i can remember the days that they didnt use to have bottles of water scattered around the pitch.
Van Persie is not Muslim, his wife is Muslim. Kolo Toure i think is fasting maybe not on matchdays but im not sure, i know he is a devout muslim who takes his prayer mat to Training. Also Traore is Muslim.
van Persie is Muslim, as a Muslim woman can only marry a Muslim man. He converted so he could marry her.
Yes i know that too that a Muslim woman can only marry a Muslim man but that does'nt mean it was the case. I spoke to Kolo Toure myself and asked him if Van Persie was muslim and he told me he wasnt but his wife was.
Where have I heard this before....................!! I can assure you that Van Persie is Muslim. It is well documented, he doesn't hide it.
I rather think you may have mis heard when he said "it is not Arsenal's policy to discuss any personal life of any players"...............................
Pics or it didn't happen If he did truly say this, then it probably means that van Persie may have converted just for technical reasons (to marry his wife) and isn't devout and doesn't follow the strict rituals. That would be my guess.
I've heard donating to/feeding the poor can offset the days a person doesn't fast without a good reason, but I don't know if it's in the Quran or people making things up. Maybe they just aren't that devout. I haven't fasted in years.
I've known muslims to run and play sports during fast. If you prepare the night before and after it's not so bad. Think of all the work your ancestors had to do between meals...the body (especially of endurance athletes) can deal with temporary extremes. I remember Hakeem Olajuwon fasting during the NBA finals years ago. I think he would get an IV the night after to rehydrate for the next day's game. IIRC, he had a hell of a series.
That's simply not true. In Islam there's no way around not fasting without a legit excuse. Many muslims don't fast which is a choice they make but nobody should make up justifications or alternatives.