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Shaq has reportedly embraced Islam. |
The Hits :
Shaq: Is NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal a Muslim? If so, that would be some awfully good news indeed. But according to the L.A. Times, there might just be good reason for Muslims to say “Allahu Akbar!”
In a blurb written by Tim Brown and Bill Plaschke towards the end of the Los Angeles Lakers’ conference championship series with the Sacramento Kings, it was revealed that prior to each game between the two teams O’Neal and Hedo Turkoglu of the Kings had made a habit of exchanging pleasantries by hugging one another and touching cheeks. Interesting behavior – somewhat reminiscent of Magic Johnson and Isaiah Thomas kissing one another before Lakers/Piston games back in the 1980s.
However far from Magic’s and Isaiah’s, how shall we say, odd affection for one another, Shaq’s and Hedo’s greetings appear to have more meaning. As quoted by the Times, Shaq said of the exchanges: “It’s not a French thing; it’s a Muslim thing.”
Said Turkoglu: "Muslims respect each other. It's nice, you know. It didn't surprise me when he (O’Neal) did it, because Muslim people support each other."
The report claims that “Turkoglu, from Turkey, and O'Neal share the Muslim faith, which they learned about each other during the past All-Star game in Philadelphia.”
It’s doubtful the Times would report something such as that unless it was true. So Muslims can yell “As salaamu alaikum” to Shaq from the stands next time they’re at a basketball game.
Mike Tyson: It’s not what Mike Tyson did in the ring over the weekend that distinguishes him as an entertainment “hit”; it was what he didn’t do.
Perpetually dogged by the critics for his often abrasive language and questionable behavior, Tyson has become the boxer people love to hate. That’s unfortunate since besides being a boxer, Tyson is also a Muslim, a fact he still brings up in interviews.
Fight fans have come to expect controversy from Tyson both in and out of the ring; and following the pre-fight rumble between Tyson and Lennox Lewis some months ago at a publicity event, it was thought that Tyson could again erupt in the ring as he did when he infamously bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear.
Much to the chagrin of his critics, however, Tyson was in polite form both during and after his stunning loss to Lennox Lewis on June 8 in Memphis, TN. With only words of praise for the champ, Tyson appeared downright gentlemanly despite being knocked out in the eighth round.
Insha allah (God-willing) he can continue to handle his fights with this kind of grace and insha allah he can build in his life as a Muslim.
The Miss:
War Emblem: It’s been a tough month in the world of sport for Saudi Arabia. At the World Cup, the Saudi footballers will not be moving on to the second round. And now in the world of horse racing, the hopes for a Triple Crown winner have faded into nothingness.
On June 8 at the Belmont Stakes, the third in the Triple Crown racing series, War Emblem was the odds on favorite to break a 20+ year drought of trifectas. Having won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes with authority, commentators were saying that War Emblem could indeed be the kind of so-called “super horse” not seen since the likes of Seattle Slew.
Owned by Saudi Prince Ahmad bin Salman who paid $900,000 for him, War Emblem made it to the gates just fine. However when the gates opened, he knuckled under, went down to his knees and almost fell at the start. From there, with his rhythm thrown off, War Emblem had to fight for position. He made a good go of it, battling into the lead just past halfway; but down the stretch he faded considerably, allowing Sarava, a 70-1 underdog, to take the race.
Prince Ahmad is quite the thoroughbred aficionado, however, and we can expect he’ll have more horses making a stab at the Triple Crown in the future.
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