Friday, June 23, 2006

Muslim Football Figures Muslim Footballers

THIS SECTION HAS BEEN ENHANCED DUE TO MISUNDERSTANDINGS

As I heard many Muslims are actually involved in football, I browsed around to look for more Muslims in football. The findings were quite shocking. Note that the list excluded known Muslim footballers like Ali Daie (Iran) and Ahmed Hossam Mido (known by name and nationality)

Source: Various

Gai Yigaal Assulin - Young exciting midfielder. Formerly of Barcelona FC and Manchester City. He is indeed an Israeli national but his father is Libyan.
Nicloas "Bilal" Anelka - French striker. Once called Le Sulk, now a very settled player. Formerly of Fenerbahce, Turkey and Chelsea. Pics of him visiting a Manchester mosque is easily available.
Zinedine Yazid Zidane - A non-practiced Muslim. Three-time FIFA World Player of the Year.
Bruno Metsu - Former Senegalese National Team Coach. Converted when he was at Senegal. Now coach of Al-Ittihad.
Franck Ribery - Converted in 2002. Read the Du'a before taking a free kick against Korea recently. Married to long time Moroccan girlfriend.
Phillipe Troussier - former famous French player. Famously coached Japanese National Team. Lives in Morocco. Changes his name to Omar. Wife Dominique now Amina. Adopted 2 local Moroccan children.
George Weah - Liberian football great. Unsuccesful candidate for 2005 Liberian presidency. Born a Muslim. Went to Muslim children school. Converted to Christianity in the name of his grandmother who raised him. Later reconverted to follow the faith of his Grandmother.
Robin van Persie - Holland super striker. Married a Morroccan but never talk about his religious position in public. Denied he is a Muslim as he was brought up liberal.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Has tatoos on both arms but Papa Sefik is a Bosnian-Muslim immigrant and his Mom is of Catholic Croat. Swedish star striker but dubbed 'overrated' by Martin O'neill. However, some reports has said that he is following his mother's religious belief.
Kolo, Yaya and Ibrahim Toure - Ivorian footballers. Devout muslims.
Rami Shaaban - Former Arsenal Swedish keeper who is of Egyptian descent. Mom is English.
Frederick Kanoute - Malian striker. No wonder he celebrates by reciting the du'a after scoring goals. Bought a mosque in Seville. Devoted Muslim.
Mehmet Scholl - German veteran Bayern Munich star midfielder who was denied call-up to the 2006 Fifa World Cup Germany National Team although being recommended by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge after coming back superbly from a long-standing injury. Born Muslim however as his parents' divorce when he was young, he turned aethist and now Buddhist.
Khalid Boulahrouz - Dutch national defender. Born in Nederlands but of Moroccan descent. Nicknamed Khalid der Kannibale (The Cannibal because of his ability to 'eat up' oppositions). Trying to emulate Mohammed Allach (Muslim-Dutch football great).
Armand Traore - Arsenal young left full back was seen many times praying before the start of the game.
Nacer Barazite - another Arsenal rising Dutch star of Moroccan descent. Pays tribute to Allah each time he scores a goal.
Pascal Cygan - clarifications needed!
Lassana and Mahamadou Diarra - Real Madrid midfield gems.
Christian Negouai - It is so ironic that his first name is Christian but he is a practising Muslim, was forced to break his fast during ramadhan for drug test by the FA.
Karim Benzema - Real Madrid striker. Struggling to find his form.
Samir Nasri - Manchester City cheeky elusive winger. Spotted reciting the du'a every time before the game.
Mamadou Sakho - PSG youngest ever captain. Highly rated center back.
Nuri Sahin - Dortmund's creative midfielder. Turkish.
Nordin Amrabat - PSV right midfielder.
Ismail Aissati - Ajax young midfielder.
Hatem Ben Arfa - Newcastle exciting winger.
Zesh Rehman - Pakistani British
Bacary Sagna -  Arsenal
Ibrahima Sonko - cousins with Bakari
Sulleyman Ali Muntari
Didier Domi - friends of Kanoute and Anelka
Phillipe Christanval - according to Thierry Henry in an interview with Aljazeera
Peter Luccin - as above
Eric Abidal - as above
Mesut Ozil - Turkish creative midfielder.
Solomon Kalou - Chelsea forward.
Nathan Ellington - former WBA and Watford striker.
Lee Hughes - converted to Islam during his prison sentence after he was found guilty dor knocking down a boy to his death in a car accident.
Mesut Oezil - talented young German playmaker.
Samir Khedira - powerful German defensive midfielder.
Serdar Tasci - German centerback.
Demba Ba - Newcastle striker. On form currently.
Aron Mohamed Winter - has Indian mom, Surinamese dad, Chinese grandpa
Ayew brothers (Andre, Abdul Rahim, Imani and Jordan) and father Abedi Pele. Also Kwame and Sola - Ghanaian footballers.
Moussa Dembele - Fulham creative forward
Ali Al-Habsi - Wigan keeper
Asmir Begovic - Young EPL keeper
Younes Kaboul - Spurs defender
Leon Osman - Everton midfielder
Maroune Chamakh - Morrocan striker
Marrouane Fellaini - Midfielder
Adel Tarrabt - of QPR
Lorik Cana - of Lazio
Youssof Mulumbu - WBA
Cheik Tiote - Newcastle
Samba Diakite - QPR
Abou Diaby - Lanky Arsenal midfielder
Demba Ba - Newcastle
Papiss Demba Cisse - Powerful striker from Newcastle
Nikica Jelavic - Bosnian born Croatian powerful striker
Phillipe Senderos - former Arsenal man converted to Islam after learning theology for his degree.

Jeg van Hooij

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Czech Crashes Out

Tomas Rosicky (pic) saw his national team which ranked 2nd in the FIFA ranking crashed out of the 2006 World Cup. The Arsenal midfielder, who had a sparkling performance in their first game, posed a lacklustre figure with 34-year-old Pavel Nedved the sole Czech who had a fine game. Milan Baros, returned from niggling knee injury was singled out as the worst performer.

The Black Stars took the benefit out of the Czech as they booked the last 16 in their first ever stint in the World Cup. Dramani notched in the first goal before the Americans levelled a minute before the half time. Tha Ghanaians scored the winner and held until the final whistle.

Monday, June 19, 2006

Sugah Sugahh Babeyy

Last night my mom had a torrid time looking for sugar. I suggested to her we change the menu instead. No, of course it's stupid to avoid sugar as proposed by one MB but I said to my mom, "Mak, kita minum teh susu lah sekarang. Menu baru, takyah carik gula, beli susu pekat."

But for how long? The price of susu pekat will also increase in the future.

So what is the real fuss behind the insuffiencient stock of sugar. Take a guess.

A. Fire damages on sugarcane farms around Malaysia.
B. New virus found in sugar!!
C. Sugar King pushes the government to increase national sugar price.

The answer is... C, obviously. But who the hell is this Sugar King? Sounds familiar. Why is he called the King? Does he has absolute power on sugar? Is he the one who's got the minerales in his urine so that sugarcanes in Malaysia will grow very-very healthy? Is he a monopolist?

All aboved questions maybe true. He is Robert K (Not Dato' K). The richest man in Malaysia. You are damn right he is powerful. Malaysian citizens suffer nowadays because of one man. But you cannot blame him for becoming a monopolist. He didn't turn himself into a monopolist. Somebody did.

Why not get a competitor? Is this because of personal interests?

Some people find politics is interesting. It is a way to make easy money, according to them. But it works you know. You have the political power. Then, consortiums bid for a project. The best money put on the table got the project. Or should I say, UNDER the table?

Lets face it guys. They don't become politicians for nothing. Not to save your sorry asses in time of need, but it is for satisfying their greed.

That is the answer why some leaders are lousy people that love shouting and talking crap in the Parliament. Because they put personal interests first. Call yourself a Wakil Rakyat (People's Representative)? I wouldn't like a greedy old man to represent me.

Obviously, I am not saying all of them are like that. Maybe some, maybe mostly.

This is exactly why I'm avoiding politics. I'm writing not for the Oppositions (sorry guys, don't like your ways too), but for myself. I would rather leave the country rather than paying 'lobbyist costs'. For me that is extra cost I gotta pay! That would not make my company solvent and sound. And it won't be nice to sit in hell for some time.

So, will there be anymore good men left in the country? To distribute the nation's wealth according to merit, intention, good cause and social benefit? Not to take easy money?

I dare you guys, my friends, to take this challenge. I know you guys are fine guys. Just don't let the money money money corrupts your minds. Earn the money. You guys are too good, too intelligent to take easy money.

You wanna be rich? Be a businessman instead. Don't be a corrupted leader.

Corruption sucks!!!

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Ros oh ros...

People from KYS might recognise the two Roses. No no. Not bunga2 chenta but you know... Cikgu Roslan Aww (Rosmary) and Abang Roslan coach bola yang sedikit boroi (a.k.a Rosroy). There is also a Malaysian commentator named Roslan Tambah.

But come on..... RUSLAN ROTAN????? (Laughs)

Ruslan Rotan was a Ukrainian midfielder who saw his team being humbled 4-0 against the fancy Spaniards. Goals from Xabi Alonso, David Villa and Nando Torres proved quality in the Spanish teams and gave them the best start of the campaign since forever (I think). But the Brazillian born Marcos Senna was impressive himself with his two long range efforts. One was tipped over by the Ukrainian keeper and another was struck after the whistle was blown for a foul. Otherwise, who would make the headlines.

I've got the tendency to appreciate the people who are not that famous but perform well.

Didn't watch the game Tunisia and Saudi and 2-2... must be a cracking match. Radhi Jaidi scored the late equaliser. The German match... didnt watch also. Late winner by substitute Neuville.

Still quite tired at the moment. My sleeping time is all over the place.

Catch you guys later.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Encik Kadir scored!!

Togo lively forward Mohammed Kader scored the opener before succumbed to a 2-1 defeat by the Koreans in yesterday's match. The French are still hunting for their first goal since World Cup 2002 after a goalless draw with Switzerland. Holders Brazil snatched a narrow win against Croatia goal scored by the elegant Kaka.

More info please visit www.soccernet.com

As for me, I am sufferring from a shoulder injury inflicted during the course of... sleeping. I hope it has nothing to do with any torn ligaments injury but it hurts kinda bad. Still waiting in limbo land. Waiting for the result for my Masters application. And also waiting for my instalment into PNB. But it's a good thing. If I were to start working now I guess I would make a bad first impression drooling because of watching World Cup in the wee hours in the morning.

Come July if I was not called yet, I am looking at other possibilities. DBKL project looks very interesting for me.

Chow