French Converts to Islam
A relatively small, but growing trend in Europe involves Christian converting to Islam. Despite the heated “clash of civilizations” rhetoric that 9/11 has provoked, many people are stepping across the Christian-Muslim divide. Peter Ford wrote in the Christian Science Monitor that “[a]lthough there are no precise figures, observers who monitor Europe’s Muslim population estimate that several thousand men and women convert each year.”
In recent years, several I the ranks of these converts to Islam have come from the world of soccer. Most have come from France, the country with the largest Muslim population in Europe.
The two most well-known French converts to Islam are Bolton’s Nicolas Anelka and Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery. In 2004, Anelka spoke of his growing interest in Islam.
The Muslim religion interests me. When I’m in Trappes (the neighborhood where he grew up), I hang out with Muslims and we discuss it a lot. In the summer we’re outdoors until 4am, so we have the time to talk. I listen to them in order to understand and learn, just like Roberto Baggio on Buddhism. It opens your mind and the subject fascinates me, just like astronomy does.
Anelka did eventually convert, taking the name Abdul-Salam Bilal (though he is rarely referred to as such).
Nicolas Anelka during his time at Manchester City (photo: BBC)
Anelka’s teammate on the national team Franck Ribery has made headlines this year due to his stellar play with new club Bayern Munich. The French winger, whose former clubs include Galatasaray and Olympique Marseille, is as gifted as he is shy. Though he rarely talks to the media, he did say in 2006 of his conversion, “[a]s a kid, I spent all my time with Muslims. It is my choice. No one told me to do it. I prefer to keep my reasons to myself.”It is known that Ribery’s wife, who is French of Moroccan descent, played a role in his conversion to Islam. Since converting, Ribery has often displayed his piety on the field, as John Lichfield wrote in the Independent in 2006: “He raises his hands to Allah before every match: something that goes down fine in Istanbul or Marseilles but was less appreciated during his brief periods in Metz and Brest.”
Franck Ribery (photo: Tiscali)
Anelka and Ribery are not alone. Graham Spiers wrote in The (Glasgow) Herald in 2005 that “Ribery joined a trend in young French society by converting to Islam. Jacques Faty and Julien Faubert, two other prominent young French footballers, have done the same.
Two French coaches have also become Muslims. Perhaps not surprisingly, they are men who have spent much of their careers traveling the world to ply their trade, including in mainly Muslim countries. Fabio-look alike Bruno Metsu rose to fame by leading Senegal to success at the 2002 World Cup. During his time coaching in West Africa, “Metsu had to convert to Islam to marry Rokhaya ‘Daba’ Ndiaye, and a fair part of the Senegalese press now calls him Abdul Karim.”
The manager with the loveliest hair, Bruno Metsu (photo: Asian Football Confederation)
Philippe Troussier is known by his nickname “The White Witch Doctor” due to his success managing several teams in Africa. After a stint coaching Japan at the 2002 World Cup, Troussier returned to Africa as manager of Morocco. He was fired from this job after only two months, but decided to remain in the country with his wife. In 2006, both Troussier and his wife converted to Islam, taking the new names Omar and Amina (hers had been Dominique). The currently unemployed manager recently spoke to a TV station about his conversion (they term it a reversion), but your French will have to be better than mine if you want to understand exactly what he had to say.
October 4th, 2007 08:54
[...] The French footballers who converted to Islam. [Culture of Soccer] [...]
October 6th, 2007 09:52
Interesting article. I believe that Eric Abidal, starting leftback on the France NT, converted to Islam as well.
October 15th, 2007 05:06
It’s really great to see French footballers converting to Islam. It shows that the religion has something to offer that attracts people. For example, Nicolas Anelka converted on his own while some others converted because their wives were Muslim. Whateva it is, it is great!!! The growing Muslim population in France is a good sign! Might move there! Haha! See Ya!
October 15th, 2007 05:07
U r right, Laurie. Eric Abidal converted to Islam after marrying his Algerian wife.
January 23rd, 2008 07:42
[...] 2000, I studied in Japan. At the time, Frenchman (and recent convert to Islam) Phillipe Troussier was coach of that country’s national team. The team had long used an [...]
March 25th, 2008 03:05
Asalamualaikum,
Hello Brother’s.
its been interesting to see some big peoples are converting to islam.Do anyone know why they are converting,because Islam is a lonely religion to be beleived.And anyone knows how
Anelka became muslim,I think no body knows.
beacouse of Sheikh Younis Min Tunis.
Elder of Dawaa ( Tabligh ) in Paris,France.
April 9th, 2008 22:58
the true Islam never allow muslims to do terrorism. Innocent europeans, like those nebtioned famous soccer stars, have been enlighted by the true Islam, not by distorting jargons or cartoons against Islam.
May 16th, 2008 20:36
God the almighty says in the Koran there are signs on earth for people that are clever. The recital of the koran in English can reduce any mortal to tears. This in its sole entirety the glorious Koran has been the inspiration for anelka etc for to the intellect death is a surity and we have to strive tofind out the life beyond that we can see . Humans can not envisage a diety power beyond that is placed on the earth for us to visualize so we are forced to cumulate a collective force of one intellect the human. Now the when we think of our knowledge beyond theocrans and the galaxy and stars it is undoubtedly limited. Yet we yearn to fulfil our demonic desire to prove thenin existence of god by continually fantascizing about the possibility if aliens! Pathetic whenthe whole universe had been configured for human survival from the degree in earth temperature to our proximity to the sun to the blessing of our planet having beengiven amoon so nightfall can enshrowd us and we can rest and sleep. Nay the slumber doesnot overcome the lord! We can’t see the past or the future but the present is most important for our belief in the present will determine the future bliss or eternal doom. Let’s me elaborate onthe beauty if god. Ofciurse life and death is universally accepted as being out of the hands of the human being we can’t postpone this nor hasten it. Why no matter the number ofheart transplants the recharging of the heart and its vessels will avoid the enemity death that is because once the soul departs it departs. Let’s apply our god given intellect t and explorefirstly what the soul is and what it entails. The soul ensures the maggots in the gravecan decimate the body as that us useless the soul however is preserved we should question the impact ofthe media where lifestyles are eccentuated and freedom conversed through the serene atmosphere of a studio. The underbelly us a different story. The number of rapes child abu, wife/girlfriend abuse which occurs on a weekly basis is ignited the very nature of yhebritish society is ignored. Well look at the Friday saturdaynights out where violence and ear is prevalent. I’d be damned to be seen in the city centre after 10 pm nevermind later! Now the Muslim equivalent according to the west on whic the nations and global ficus shouldbe on is the innocent mosque which supposedly endorses terrorism. Pathetic differentiate the theo a mosque a place if calm and peace and the nightclub the devils path. You do get the odd atheist complaining about why they should confirm to society perception of good inall senses including beliefin god. Often the excuse is that if what is this behavioural police? This isthe Koran sent by god defining good and bad evil and right. The moral religious rules and regulations moulded the democratic we see now anywhere! Actually Oman ra was the first person to adoptpracticing democracy avoiding the malpractices of other nations in appointi g close cousain etc to big posts in the different peninsualas. The postshaving been decided by elections and public consensus. Anyway first and foremost belief in god is imperative. Our positionson the thus earth us not a mere chance just look at the flower so innocent providing us with oxygen we are grateful we are grateful to god. By the way I’m 18 yearsold isupport Leeds united and ylthe stories about ribery anelka etc are intriguing my email is rawats58@gmail.com if anyone wants to say anything
May 22nd, 2008 11:53
I agree with sumartuno that Islam prohibits violence and those who beleive are provided peace from inner soul and heart.This is great news of more and more people converting to islam especially the conversion of many super stars like Muhammad Yousuf(cricket), Anelka and others. blessings of
Allah on all of Muslims and may the non-beleivers be Divinely Guided.
June 29th, 2008 14:34
Mashallah , god bless all of those who embrace Islam , let our voice be heard thru y’all.. Peace
September 3rd, 2008 07:09
Allahuakbar!!!Marhaban Yaa Ramadhan!!!
may all the power of Allah blessed to those who run tirelessly in the field.Samir Nasri who’s move to Arsenal is a young moslem.and he’s a wonderkid!!!