Mohamed Salah plays role in fighting Islamophobia: Hendi

CAIRO – 3 May 2018: Abdel Ghani Hendi, member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said that Mohamed Salah managed to play a bigger role in fighting "Islamophobia" (intense hate or fear of Islam or Muslims) than all religious institutions.

The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs is subordinate to the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.

In an interview with Ahmed Moussa on Sada al-Balad, Hendi described the Egyptian football superstar Salah, who plays for Liverpool, as one of the most significant Islamic preachers existing in Europe, explaining that Salah practically conveys a good image of Islam. Hendi also described Salah as one of the most successful models representing Egypt abroad.

Furthermore, Hendi praised famous Egyptian-British cardiothoracic surgeon Magdi Yacoub, who is Christian, saying that he is an Egyptian who has benefited his country and that he considers Yacoub to be better than many people who spoke on behalf of Islam, yet encouraged strife and instability.

Salah started his career as a professional footballer at Arab Contractors Club in Cairo when he was 18; after seven years, he became the player with the highest transfer value in the history of one of the greatest clubs in the world – Liverpool – when he joined them from AS Roma.

Hendi explained why Salah succeeded to shine in Europe more than any other Egyptian player. He stated, “One of the greatest things that happened to Salah is that he did not play for Egypt’s biggest clubs, Al-Ahly and Zamalek. He did not know fame here in Egypt, so he searched for it in the right place – Europe.”