Islam

The AMF: The Association For The Muslim Footballer

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Yaya Toure, Demba Ba, Abou Trika, football fans would recognize these names frequently on professional football lineups all over the world. However, apart from associating themselves through the sport they love, these players can relate to each other on a whole other level, religion. Islam, a decision which alters their experiences in professional football from the months they spend fasting in Ramadan to the way they portray themselves of the field. Muslims in football come across some unique and often challenging circumstances. Consequently a need for an association which recognizes and supports Muslim footballers came about.

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The AMF (Association Of Muslim Footballers) was established in 2012 with the aim of "Uniting The Football Ummah". The AMF hopes to provide a platform for the professional Muslim footballer to share experiences as well as relate with fellow professionals. 

We had the opportunity to ask some questions to the team behind the scenes at the AMF, they gave us an insight into the workings of the association.

What kind of things does the AMF provide for Muslims in football,and how does that help a footballers career?

The AMF was set up in 2012 and mainly deals with Muslim in Professional Footballers. We seek to recognize and support the Footballers in professional football, and provide a platform for professional Footballers to share their experiences of overcoming barriers with aspiring Footballers, and young people in general. The AMF also acts as a social forum for Footballers to share their unique experiences with each other - obvious examples include coping with Ramadan as an Athlete. In addition, Footballers use this forum to support each other when moving from one club to another to ensure they and their families have a smooth transition after a transfer.

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There has been a lot of discussion about the inclusion of young British Muslims in youth and professional football, is this something on the agenda of the AMF?

We mainly work with professionals and are not directly tackling the issue at grassroots level as of yet. However, we hope by raising the profile of Muslim footballers and highlighting their contribution and successes on and off the pitch, this will inspire and motivate youngsters to follow a similar career path.

Is the AMF in contact with football governing bodies such as FA, FIFA and UEFA?

We have worked closely with unions such as the Professional Football Association (PFA) and other Football organisations within the game to highlight the particular issues faced by Muslims in football, and how they can be overcome. That's the educational and awareness part of our work which is an initial and fundamental part of our support. For example, we recently played a key role supporting a campaign titled 'Fast and Fasting #Ramadan'. This campaign involved Footballers wearing a T-shirt which raises awareness about the holy month of Ramadan and fasting. 

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There was recently a documentary on the BBC titled "The Muslim Premier League", since the airing of the documentary have you noticed an increase in the awareness of Muslims in football?

Yes of course, we played a pivotal role by providing access to the players who appeared on the programmed which was commissioned by BBC in conjunction with ourselves (AMF).

Aside from the inclusion of footballers both currently playing and retired is there a sector for Muslim managers and coaches?

We do accommodate Coaches, Managers and Doctors/Physios etc. One recent example is the inclusion of Dr Zafar Iqbal, the former Liverpool FC Club Doctor who was our club doctor at the recent Charity match in the Middle East. The AMF are in regular communication and strongly backed by many Professional Muslim Footballers and Muslim Professionals within the game including Club Doctors, Club Physios, Coaches and the like.

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The AMF includes a number of high profile footballers could you lets us know some of the footballers involved with the AMF?

Some names mentioned and hundreds of others including Yaya Toure, Nicolas Anelka, Mohammad Abou Trika, Abou Diaby, Kanoute. We are not a membership based organisation but we are endorsed by Players from across the globe, from Europe, Africa to Australia. 

Recently photos of Muslim footballers on Umrah have been seen on social media, how was that event organised and was the AMF involved?

We play a match for charity on an annual basis - the first game was in Makkah and now the 2nd game took place in Medina a few weeks ago. We play against a select team of Saudi / Arab professional players and the match is aired live on many sport TV platforms. Part of this trip is an Umrah which players partake in in addition to some Media conferences and other activities.

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Finally, looking forward what kind of things is your association planning for the future?

To continue to grow and achieve our objectives on a much larger scale, Allah willing.

We think the AMF is an amazing organisation. It is definitely needed and has the potential to become extremely influential both in the Muslim community and beyond. With football being arguably the most popular sport in the world, an association that connects both Islam and Football can only be positive. Please support the AMF by checking out there Twitter and Facebook pages.

You can find out more about The AMF and all their work on their website here

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Meet UMMA: The All Muslim American Biker Crew

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The Muslim biker group you've probably never heard of, but should get to know. UMMA (United Muslim Motorcyclist Association) is an association aimed at Muslims who have a passion for motorcycles, while also having a yearning to spread their Faith through something they love. Breaking through all stereotypes of what being a biker or a Muslim is, the brothers and sisters at UMMA are making a difference through their amazing charitable work as well as working to portray the light-hearted and fun side of Islam..

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We spoke to Dawud Abdullah who is a part of the Mother Chapter of the association in Los Angeles. He gave us an insight into what UMMA is and what it means to be a Muslim Biker.

So how did UMMA come about? What made you think of Muslims coming together as bikers?

In the name of Allah most merciful. UMMA came about as a inspiration from Allah, to form a motorcycle association geared towards Muslims who love to ride motorcycles while staying within their taqwah, and praising Allah. The physical coming about started in Los Angeles, CA when 3 brothers had a conversation on their different experiences of riding with Muslims vs riding with non Muslims. This realization inspired us to form a motorcycle association, solely for the WORSHIP of Allah, not worldly recognition.

"Camaraderie, Unity, Family, Dawah, Worship, learning and pleasing Allah"

So no one can claim founder of UMMA, UMMA is all about sincere worship, and worship was here before Adam. Camaraderie, Unity, Family, Dawah, Worship, learning, and pleasing Allah. So many things came to mind, such as being an example that as Muslims you can enjoy a moderate life style without compromising your Deen. Also as a way for other Muslim Bikers, that ride with non Muslims organizations to see that Islam covers a vast area of life styles without compromising your Iman. As well as a clean halal environment to gather and have halal fun.

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What are your main goals or objectives for UMMA and the people involved?

UMMA's main goal is pleasing Allah, and entering paradise. Worldly, UMMA members are business minded, entrepreneurial believers, with objectives that target the youth in a positive manner, and that build community strength. This allows UMMA members to participate in positive activities, which bring about positive growth to the individual and UMMA.

You have a sister's branch of UMMA as well, how do you combat the stereotypes that surround Muslim women in this day and age?

Very good question, honestly, UMMA doesn't worry about any stereotyping of Muslims or Muslimas, we hear and we obey. But as far as the sisters in UMMA go, we love and recognise Mothers of UMMA.

"Some couples have used their cycling experience to enhance their marriage"

To shut down the opportunity for a Muslima to join UMMA would be taking away an avenue for a female to connect with Islam. Some couples have also used their cycling experience to enhance their marriage, UMMA wants to keep that open. Allah is in charge of how someone will accept Islam, then grow in knowledge and move forward towards Paradise. Islam has always been supported by the Muslimas, they were very helpful in many campaigns, advice, dawah, the first martyr of Islam was a Muslima. UMMA has a sisters voice which is highly respected, how can there be a UMMA without the Muslima?

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Some people see biker groups as synonymous with negative things, how is UMMA combating that stereotype, and what would you say to people with such opinions?

UMMA combats the negative stereotype of Bikers. We believe that the general public is aware that most motorcycle organizations are law abiding people, as we haven't, as of yet, had any problems with any other motorcycle organization or law enforcement. But this is a good question, because even some muslims were skeptical about UMMA muslims representing Islam with an emblem/patch on a black vest. However, over the years they have seen the good work that Allah allows us to do on a national level, and now UMMA is very well respected nation wide, all Praise be to Allah.

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Do you plan on opening any international chapters?

Yes we do and already have. We have a chapter in Asia and are forming more chapters there. Proceeding with Chapters in Africa and insha Allah the UK.

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We cannot express how impressed we are at the work being done by the members of this biker crew. While researching for this post we have come to realise that UMMA is so much more than a group of boys with their toys. Not only are they breaking stereotypes and representing a positive image of Islam to Non-Muslims, but they are providing a fun, halal and innovative pass-time for Muslims like themselves. Expanding horizons and breaking barriers. May Allah (SWT) reward them for their efforts

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You can find out more about UMMA and all their amazing work on their website here

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The Idea

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The idea for this blog came from a yearning for the success and development of a demographic which has inconspicuously fallen under the radar of mainstream commerce. Although the Muslim community makes up a large proportion of the global population, Islamic inspired art and culture seems destined to the sidelines.

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Surprisingly however the emergence of Islamicaly inspired startups and young entrepreneurs are numerous in number. When researching for the purpose of this blog I was pleasantly surprised at finding innumerable amounts of creative and inventive minds, all being influenced by the binding factor of Islam.

The issue I found was the accessibility to this content and the connectivity. I for example had no idea that a guy called Navid Akhtar was pioneering the start up of a "Netflix For Muslims" or that a woman by the name of Yvonne would help me bake an alcohol free cake!

If mainstream companies put the interests of Muslim to the side (which I believe they are entitled to) then who better to pick up the reigns and drive forward Islamicaly inspired and considerate commerce then Muslims themselves?

My hope for this blog Insha'Allah will be to create a platform for the compilation , discovery and development of these innovative and community changing start-ups. My next Blog post will be "5 Awesome Islamic Clothing Brands For the Fashion Conscious Muslim". I hope with the grace of الله سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى that you will join me on this journey.

ولا غالب الا الله