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Sensational Salah is a positive Muslim ambassador

May 7, 2020

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has been described as “just sensational,” with the Muslim striker also being described as a “good ambassador for us,” according to former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna.

Salah, who was joint Golden Boot winner last season, has scored sixteen times so far this term, with the Reds sitting on top of the Premier League with a massive 25 point gap to second placed City, and needing just two more wins to claim their first title in thirty years.

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Salah was joint Golden Boot winner last season

As the Premier League suspension due to coronavirus approaches its’ second month, it has coincided with the Islamic Holy month of Ramadan which began on 24th April in the UK and lasts for up to thirty days.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and commemorates when the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims observe this Holy month by fasting, offering prayers and donating to charity, and says Sagna, Salah’s presence has been a positive message for Islam in football and beyond.

“I think it’s sending the best message really, he’s just sensational not only on the pitch, but his behaviour he’s always straight, he’s always trying to smile and give back to people I think he’s a good ambassador for us because he naturally wants to give back but he’s not forcing himself he’s naturally nice and he’s a genuine person.”

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A higher goal. Salah in praise and celebration

Sagna spent seven years at Arsenal from 2007, and three seasons at the Etihad until 2017 before ending up in the MLS with Montreal Impact. During his time at all his clubs, Sagna revealed that he never had any issue when it came to fasting and Ramadan, and, that his employers were always empathetic when the demands of top flight footballers seemed to be at odds with the requirements of their faith.

Having no food or drink during daylight hours during Ramadan, which is currently up to seventeen hours in the UK means that club nutritionists are required to tailor make diet plans to maximise calorie and carbohydrate intake for their Muslim players when they come to break their fast at sunset, and also at their very early pre-dawn breakfast before they begin the following day’s fast.

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Sagna celebrates winning the 2014 FA Cup with Arsenal

“We never had any problems. Everyone was respected, not matter his religion, no matter his skin colour, I never had any problem. I was personally not fasting on the day of the game, but they are very understanding, and honestly they are very open minded.”

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Salah and Mane celebrate another Reds’ goal

Sagna praised the understanding of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who, as well as Salah, currently has Muslim players Sadio Mane and Naby Keita in his squad. Klopp has stressed how his team have made allowances for the needs of his Muslim players with their pre-prayer ablution needs and prayer requirements when possible. Anfield is among the Premier League clubs where a multi-faith prayer room is also offered for fans match day usage, which Sagna acknowledges is the way forward.

“This is a positive and it shows respect. It’s all about respect. ”

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