Post by QPR Report on Sept 7, 2009 18:38:17 GMT
Bradford Telegraph
Zesh: Not fasting during Ramadan doesn't make me a bad Muslim
7:00pm Monday 7th September 2009
By Simon Parker »
Zesh Rehman takes pride in his British Asian roots.
The City defender’s appointment in an ambassadorial role as club captain demonstrates how keen he is to bring different cultures together.
I have never let it interfere with my professional life. I’ve been at six clubs and always played during this period
Zesh Rehman
Rehman was the first British-born Asian player to appear in the Premier League and his arrival at Valley Parade has seen a slight rise in new fans from a community that City have previously tried to tap into without success.
But unlike some other Asian sportsmen, the centre half has not been fasting through Ramadan. And Rehman challenges the idea that everyone has to do it.
He said: “It comes down to making a personal choice. I’m not 100 per cent strict but there are certain things I will do.
“But I have never let it interfere with my professional life. I’ve been at six clubs and always played during this period.
“You cannot fast and expect to still train every day as normal. Being involved in a football environment, you need that regular nutrition.
“It doesn’t make you a bad person or a bad Muslim.
“There are ways of making up for it. You can make a sacrifice like giving wages to a charity, buying toys for a hospital and things like that.
“As long as you give back in other ways then it’s okay.
“It’s about changing mind sets. You can still be involved in football and can still play and train.
“You don’t have to drop the whole religion but don’t lose yourself. It’s important to embrace both cultures.
“You’ve got to fit in as much as you can but it’s not about drawing too much attention to yourself. Every person’s religion should be personal.
“Once you get out there as a team, you’re just another player.
“It’s about balance and finding that middle ground where you can make your own peace with yourself.”
With Peter Thorne not involved, Rehman has been wearing the skipper’s armband in recent weeks and has overseen the upturn in City’s fortunes.
“It’s an honour to be captain, whether it’s your school team, Sunday team, pro team or your country.
“You should treat it with respect and I try to do the best I can to give the club a good name on and off the pitch. It’s a responsibility I enjoy and hopefully I can grow into the role.
“Before I came back this summer, I spoke to a few other clubs but in my heart of hearts this is where I wanted to be.
“I owed it to Bradford because they gave me an opportunity when it looked like I would just be plodding along at QPR and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
Rehman’s dual role on and off the field has also emphasised the impact results can have on the whole area. By meeting and greeting businesses and spreading the word in schools, the 26-year-old is constantly reminded how much the Bantams mean.
He added: “I’ve said it from day one that the most important thing is what happens on the pitch. First and foremost I’ve come here to play football and everything else is secondary.
“But on the flip side, going out and about does remind you how football affects so many people in so many ways.
“It is bigger than just a game. It’s not just the fans who feel it but there are hundreds of jobs connected with football, whether it’s the staff, the financial people or guys in the media.
“And then you appreciate the reaction around the town. To see the smiles on people’s faces after a win means so much.
“It shows that being a footballer is more than just a job. It’s a privilege to be part of that.
“You’ve got to realise that people work hard all week to save their money to come and watch you play. So when you lose, you’ve let yourself down and all those who’ve come to watch you.
“But to leave Valley Parade after a win, you know that 11,000-12,000 people are going to have a good weekend on the back of that. The impact is massive.”
www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/4584438.Zesh__Not_fasting_during_Ramadan_doesn_t_make_me_a_bad_Muslim/
Zesh meets children from Holycroft Primary School as part of his commitment to spread the word about the Bantams and use football to bring Bradford’s multiracial community together
Zesh: Not fasting during Ramadan doesn't make me a bad Muslim
7:00pm Monday 7th September 2009
By Simon Parker »
Zesh Rehman takes pride in his British Asian roots.
The City defender’s appointment in an ambassadorial role as club captain demonstrates how keen he is to bring different cultures together.
I have never let it interfere with my professional life. I’ve been at six clubs and always played during this period
Zesh Rehman
Rehman was the first British-born Asian player to appear in the Premier League and his arrival at Valley Parade has seen a slight rise in new fans from a community that City have previously tried to tap into without success.
But unlike some other Asian sportsmen, the centre half has not been fasting through Ramadan. And Rehman challenges the idea that everyone has to do it.
He said: “It comes down to making a personal choice. I’m not 100 per cent strict but there are certain things I will do.
“But I have never let it interfere with my professional life. I’ve been at six clubs and always played during this period.
“You cannot fast and expect to still train every day as normal. Being involved in a football environment, you need that regular nutrition.
“It doesn’t make you a bad person or a bad Muslim.
“There are ways of making up for it. You can make a sacrifice like giving wages to a charity, buying toys for a hospital and things like that.
“As long as you give back in other ways then it’s okay.
“It’s about changing mind sets. You can still be involved in football and can still play and train.
“You don’t have to drop the whole religion but don’t lose yourself. It’s important to embrace both cultures.
“You’ve got to fit in as much as you can but it’s not about drawing too much attention to yourself. Every person’s religion should be personal.
“Once you get out there as a team, you’re just another player.
“It’s about balance and finding that middle ground where you can make your own peace with yourself.”
With Peter Thorne not involved, Rehman has been wearing the skipper’s armband in recent weeks and has overseen the upturn in City’s fortunes.
“It’s an honour to be captain, whether it’s your school team, Sunday team, pro team or your country.
“You should treat it with respect and I try to do the best I can to give the club a good name on and off the pitch. It’s a responsibility I enjoy and hopefully I can grow into the role.
“Before I came back this summer, I spoke to a few other clubs but in my heart of hearts this is where I wanted to be.
“I owed it to Bradford because they gave me an opportunity when it looked like I would just be plodding along at QPR and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
Rehman’s dual role on and off the field has also emphasised the impact results can have on the whole area. By meeting and greeting businesses and spreading the word in schools, the 26-year-old is constantly reminded how much the Bantams mean.
He added: “I’ve said it from day one that the most important thing is what happens on the pitch. First and foremost I’ve come here to play football and everything else is secondary.
“But on the flip side, going out and about does remind you how football affects so many people in so many ways.
“It is bigger than just a game. It’s not just the fans who feel it but there are hundreds of jobs connected with football, whether it’s the staff, the financial people or guys in the media.
“And then you appreciate the reaction around the town. To see the smiles on people’s faces after a win means so much.
“It shows that being a footballer is more than just a job. It’s a privilege to be part of that.
“You’ve got to realise that people work hard all week to save their money to come and watch you play. So when you lose, you’ve let yourself down and all those who’ve come to watch you.
“But to leave Valley Parade after a win, you know that 11,000-12,000 people are going to have a good weekend on the back of that. The impact is massive.”
www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/4584438.Zesh__Not_fasting_during_Ramadan_doesn_t_make_me_a_bad_Muslim/
Zesh meets children from Holycroft Primary School as part of his commitment to spread the word about the Bantams and use football to bring Bradford’s multiracial community together
