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Muslim Anelka to quit England
By Steve Stammers, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 10.06.04
Convert: Nicolas Anelka
The bizarre career of Nicolas Anelka took another amazing twist today when he said he would probably quit English football after converting to Islam.
The former French international, whose career has been littered with fall-outs with clubs and managers, has spent the last week in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Yesterday he was thought to have been in Mecca, the holiest place of worship in the Islamic faith.
He told France Football magazine: "I am ready to stay here and to play for a club in the Emirates. I am not keen to go back to England or France."
Anelka was speaking after his official conversion to Islam, and at the Al-Wassl mosque in UAE read out several verses of the Koran in front of two muftis, senior legal figures in the community who specialise in advising on the Islamic holy book.
The 25-year-old has spoken before about his interest in the religion. In 1999, he said he was inspired by his boyhood friends in the working class community of Trappes, on the outskirts of Paris.
"The Muslim religion interests me," he said. "When I'm in Trappes, 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."
Earlier this year, it was reported he had visited the state-funded school in London founded by Yusef Islam, formerly the singer Cat Stevens.
Now it appears his conversion is now complete and a new chapter is about to start in his controversial life.
Many thought the talented striker might be representing France at Euro 2004 but after falling out with the previous manager Roger Lemerre, current boss Jacques Santini refused to have him back, despite Anelka making an apology.
He signed for City two summers ago for £13million but last season he appeared unsettled again.
He first came to English football as an 18-year-old when Arsene Wenger spotted his talent.
He helped Arsenal to the Double in 1998 but alienated fans by demanding to leave for Real Madrid, to whom he was sold for more than £23m, a profit of more than £22m.
Controversy there led to a move to Paris St Germain and he came close to joining Liverpool after a loan spell at Anfield.
But thoughts of a permanent deal were abandoned when he clashed with Gerard Houllier before he revived his career at City.
Reader views (4)
iam a muslim borne it really true that muslim faith can help you alweys good time and bad time. we are all in the world for limit time but will be living hereafter unlimited. where you will meet all your good deeds and bad deeds. if your good deeds are more then your bad ones good for you. you will go a good place with unlimit life. but if your bad deeds are morethen your good ones bad for you. you go abd place with unlimit life.
- Adam Barre, bristol uk
I think Anelka is clever b'se he make decisions by fact,that is what we are support to be.
- rama, moscow
It's not religion that makes you a quest for a better man but it is that you believe in yourself and doing the right thing, as said by Robin Van Persie.
- Aravind, Klang, Malaysia
Congratulations to Anelka on his reverting to Islaam. It is however no new news. I wonder if he can sponsor my charity cause? I have been frantically searching for him. Pass on the message someone.
- Umm Eesa, UK
