Silver Lining
To The Dark Cloud:
Another positive emerges
Out of Christchurch
Massacre!
Sonny’s Mother Lee
And Teammate Ofa
Revert To Islam!
(M. Javed Naseem)
(Sonny with his brother John, his sister and Sevens
star Niall, and his mother
Lee. Source: Twitter @SonnyBWilliams)
|
“Fain would they extinguish
Allah's light
with their mouths,
but Allah will not allow
but that His light
should be perfected, even
though the
Unbelievers may detest (it).”
(al-Quran 9:32)
Sonny Bill Williams is a New Zealand rugby legend … and a Muslim. He is a symbol of compassion and generosity; a true role model for the Muslim youth. People like Sonny are the best source of Islamic Daawah.
Sharing is caring! We are commanded to share good things in
life with the less fortunate and the needy. This is an obligation but it does
not require you to sacrifice an arm or a leg. Just share whatever amount you
can afford to bring smiles on the sad and gloomy faces of mankind. And that
sharing is not limited to money alone; it goes for anything that eases up the
hardships of others. That’s the human spirit – caring and sharing!
New Zealand’s Rugby Hero:
Sonny Bill Williams hit the headlines in 2015, as a New Zealand
rugby legend when his team All Blacks defeated Australia in the final and won the
World Championship. Sonny reverted to Islam in 2008. When New Zealand
defeated Australia
in the final of Rugby World Cup by 34-17, the mainstream Western media never
mentioned his religion! He was in the news for giving away his World Cup medal
to a 14-years old youngster out of compassion.
The 14-year-old All Blacks fan Charlie Lines is now the
proud owner of a Rugby World Cup winner’s gold medal. Williams acted after
seeing a security guard rugby-tackle the boy, who had run on the pitch during
the All Blacks lap of honor following their 34-17 Rugby World Cup final victory
over Australia.
(All Blacks (New Zealand) rugby team’s center Sonny Bill Williams (a Muslim) giving away his World Cup winner's medal to a young fan in a heartwarming show of generosity and compassion!) |
Dilly’s Desk adds:
When a Muslim does something praiseworthy, there's no
mention of their religion.
However, when an individual does wrong and it has absolutely
nothing to do with Islam, rest assured that "Muslim" will be
mentioned at every given opportunity.
The world is waking up to the bitter reality now. The Christchurch mosque
massacre brought the humanity together. People of all colors, races and nationalities
got together and condemned the Islamophobia and the attack on a place of
worship that killed 50 people in New Zealand. They showed their
solidarity and compassion towards Muslim community – especially the role of the
New Zealand
Prime Minister was touching, exemplary and appreciable. She won millions of
hearts.
(Ofa Tu'ungafasi (L) and Sonny Bill Williams (R) meet survivor Temel Atacocugu during a visit to Christchurch Hospital a week after the mosque terror attacks. Image: Getty) |
Here’s the reportage from Emma Land (published yesterday, March
28, 2019):
Sonny Bill Williams'
mother and All Black teammate Ofa Tu’ungafasi have converted to Islam
The news has been welcomed by the Muslim community as
something positive to have come out of the Christchurch terror attack.
Less than two weeks after the devastating Christchurch mosque terror attack, Sonny Bill Williams'
mother Lee Williams and his All Black teammate and friend Ofa Tu'ungafasi have
converted to Islam.
Fellow Muslim convert John Fontain posted an image to
Facebook confirming the pair had taken the Shahada - the testimony of faith in
which converts must pledge their belief in Allah as the One True God.
"Allahu-akbar today! Sonny Bill William's mother and
his team mate Offa Tuungafasi accepted Islam. May Allah make it easy for
them," he wrote alongside a photo of him with Sonny and Ofa.
News of the conversion has been welcomed by the Muslim
community around the world.
"We just simply can't get enough of the glad tidings
that continue to come out of New Zealand
since that tragic Christchurch
massacre," the Muslim Council of Hong Kong wrote in response.
"Though the Islamophobic incidents sadly continue
worldwide, there are plenty of positive news too, this being one of them."
All Black star Sonny Bill grew up as a Christian but
famously converted to Islam in 2008. The 33-year-old has credited the religion
with turning his life around, shaking off the bad-boy reputation he once had.
"When I'm most happy, is when I'm doing my prayers,” Williams
told the Daily Mail in 2016. "How can you not spare 25 minutes of your day
to give thanks? I look at where I came from and feel blessed."
"I still feel like the same person but converting has
given me contentment and happiness that I don't know how to explain."
On the day of the mosque attacks Williams posted an emotional message to social media, struggling
to come to terms with news of the events.
It hit close to home for him. When he was living in Christchurch in 2011 and
playing for the Crusaders, he and his brother John used to pray most Friday's
at Al Noor Mosque where 42 of the 50 victims were killed.
(John Williams (center) poses with Sonny Bill Williams (left) and Ofa Tu'ungafasi after the ceremony.) |
Williams took time off from his playing commitments with the
Blues to fly to Christchurch
to support the Muslim community in the wake of the attacks.
Putting aside what he called his natural shyness he stepped
up to be a leader in the community, wanting to show the country "we are
Muslims but New Zealanders too."
"I am an All Black and I play for the Blues, but I am
also a Muslim. Although I'm naturally a shy person I knew I had to be vulnerable
and step up and be a leader in this space" he told News-hub.
"My message is about unity, it's about peace, it's
about love, the core essence of what Islam is."
After attending the emotional commemoration in Hagley Park
the week after the attacks, Williams visited some of the injured in hospital,
accompanied by Ofa Tu'ungafasi who described the visit as "the most
amazing experience."
"Am inspired and have drawn so much strength from you
all," the All Black and Blues prop wrote in an Instagram post: "May
the Almighty bless you all with quick recovery."
Williams is set to return from his hiatus this week for the
Blues clash against the Stormers at Eden
Park on Friday night.
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