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Franck Ribery is known as a person who is polite, humble, and diligent in performing five daily prayers, wherever and under any conditions.

For fans of world football, of course it is no stranger to the name Franck Ribery, the attacking midfielder from France who now plays at the Bundesliga giants (Germany), Bayern Munich.

Likewise, with the former world best players from France, Zinedine Zidane, Nicholas Anelka (Chelsea / France), Frederik Kanoute (Sevilla / Mali), Khalid Bouhlahrouz (Sevilla), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan / Sweden), Eric Abidal (Barcelona / France), Kolo Toure (Chelsea), and Yaya Toure (Barcelona). They are football players who are Muslims and are the mainstay of their respective clubs and countries.

Unlike the other Muslim footballers, who first embraced Islam, Franck Ribery converted to Islam after playing in the Turkish club Galatasaray in 2005.

In brief, Ribery said, he chose the teachings that the Prophet Muhammad brought because he found peace in Islam.

For him, Islam is a source of strength and safety. "Islam is the source of my strength inside and outside the football field. I experienced a fairly hard life and I had to find something that brought me to safety and I found Islam, "Ribery said.

PRAY

The blue-eyed footballer who strengthened the French team began his football career, by joining the Boulogne team in his homeland. Then, he moved to the Ales team, Brest and FC Metz.

His move to Olympique Marseille led him to the first position of the most popular French soccer star in August, October and November 2005. Ribery was selected to strengthen the French team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany.

In 2006, the identity of Ribery who had converted and converted to Islam revealed and became a news in the middle of the opening match between the French team and the Swiss team during the 2006 World Cup.

At that time, Ribery was highlighted by the public as he raised his hand before the match began. Ribery was praying, as did a Muslim. At that time, many people were shocked by his attitude. However, thanks to its brilliance in playing football, the public also ignored Ribery's behavior and habits.

However, the routine of praying before the match was finally revealed. And, Ribery claimed to be an adherent of Islam. He found peace in Islam and became his spirit in carrying out daily activities, including playing football.

Ribery reportedly converted to Islam, since the beginning of 2006. The news was originally reported by L'Express. The magazine mentions the existence of a French national player who regularly worships at a mosque south of Marseille. The weekly did not mention the name explicitly, but Ribery meant it.

Although his prayer action on the green field has attracted the attention of the French public, Ribery remains reluctant to express his new beliefs openly. The Olympique Marseille club's right midfielder said his new faith was a personal matter, no publication needed.

As a result, a number of speculations emerged. Some say the change occurred since Ribery played with the Galatasaray club in 2005. He helped the Turkish giant win the Turkish Cup in 2005. During his stay in Turkey, the player born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, April 7, 1983, is often reported mingle and discuss with the Muslim community there.

Some also called Ribery's wife, Wahiba Belhami, the Moroccan native who played an important role in Ribery's change. Ribery indeed lives in a Muslim-majority country for a year. There, Ribery became acquainted with Wahiba who later became a wife. It is said that Wahiba played a major role leading Ribery to know the teachings

. From the marriage, Wahiba gave him two children, Hizsya and Shahinez.

Both versions were never denied or justified by Ribery. However, to Paris Match magazine, he revealed, Islam has brought it to safety.

"Islam is also the source of my strength on and off the field," Ribery told Match magazine without explaining since when he embraced Islam. He added, "I have had a tough career. I then determined to find peace. Finally, I found Islam. "

Never leave prayer

Ribery's faith and personality as a Muslim seem to be in doubt. In the midst of the tight schedule of matches, the father of two children has never forgotten his obligation as a Muslim. He always performs five daily prayers, wherever and under any conditions.

For him, prayer is a pillar of religion that must be upheld.

In addition to being diligent in performing prayers, Ribery is also known as a polite and humble person. Islam has truly changed its violent and arrogant character to become a polite person.