Egypt’s soccer legend Mohamed Aboutreika, who is admired for his piety and good manners, has never imagined that his match against Congo in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers would draw many Congolese to the fold of Islam. Aboutreika, nominated for the CAF African Footballer of the Year award in 2006 and running for the title this year scored the winner goal in Egypt’s clash with Congo in the World Cup qualifier last September. To the surprise of the thousands of Congolese fans, he immediately kneeled to the ground before being joined by fellow team mates. Many fans enquired why the Egyptian players did that. After knowing that the prostration was meant to thank God for his blessings, they developed a curiosity about Islam that eventually led them to reverting to the faith. Aboutreika enjoys a huge popularity in Egypt, the Arab world and Africa for his amazing skills and good manners. He was named the world’s most popular soccer player in 2007, according to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).
ABOUTREIKA INSPIRES CONGOLESE TO ISLAM
Egypt’s soccer legend Mohamed Aboutreika, who is admired for his piety and good manners, has never imagined that his match against Congo in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers would draw many Congolese to the fold of Islam.
