Pakistan batsman Yousuf opts out of Champions Trophy to observe Ramadan

Extracted from dailymail, UK, 15th July 2008

Pakistan middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf has opted out of the Champions Trophy to observe the rules of fasting and prayer during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.



The 33-year-old has strictly followed the Muslim faith ever since he converted from Christianity in 2005 and has often stated that he would avoid playing during Ramadan, which this year runs from September 1 to September 30.

The tournament is scheduled to be held in Pakistan between September 11 to 28.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which had delayed the announcement of the 30-man preliminary squad for the International Cricket Council tournament, has accepted Yousuf's request.

'We have received a request from Yousuf that he wants a Ramadan break,' said Shafqat Naghmi, PCB chief operating officer .

'The board respects his feelings and has decided to accept his request.'

Yousuf is Pakistan's most experienced batsman with 9,242 runs, including 15 centuries, from 269 one-day internationals.

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It is not uncommon to find brothers and sisters taking the month of Ramadan or the last 10 days of Ramadan off as holiday. Take a vacation for Allah - We take a break from our jobs for almost everything in life. Why not this time to focus on worshiping and thanking our Creator. If this is not possible at least take a few days off if you can. This can make it easier to stay awake at night to do extra Ibadah, not having to worry about getting to work the next day. It will also facilitate doing Itikaf. It was a practice of the Prophet to spend the last ten days and nights of Ramadan in the masjid for Itikaf. Allah's Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time." (Muslim). Allah's peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet.