(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - In no particular order or preference, here are some of the familiar names in European football. This compilation is however by no means exhaustive.
1. Nicolas (Bilal) Anelka
Former Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka converted to Islam in 2004, taking the Muslim name Abdul-Salam Bilal. Anelka was a Manchester City player at the time and considered moving to play his football in the UAE before settling on a move to Turkish club Fenerbache. He now plays for Chinese professional club Shanghai Shenhua.
2. Franck (Bilal) Ribery
French player Franck Ribery is a convert to Islam, with his French-Algerian wife having been raised a Muslim herself. Ribery was once quoted as having said "I pray five times a day, I do it because it enables me to be released and I feel better afterwards." He now plays for German club Bayern Munich.
3. Kolo (Habib) Toure
Former Arsenal centre back Kolo Toure was raised in the Ivory Coast and played for ASEC Mimosas before he was bought by the Gunners. Toure, a practising Muslim, has stated his desire to become a role model for young British Muslims. He now plays for Manchester City.
4. Frederick (Oumar) Kanoute
French born Malian Kanoute, who plays for Seville and the Mali national team as a striker, has been practising Islam since the age of 20 (he is now 32). He refused to wear the Seville shirt because it was sponsored by gambling website 888.com, and was given a brand free jersey. Kanoute has also purchased a mosque in Seville for $700k after its lease had expired.
5. Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema was born in France to parents of Algerian-Kabyle descent, and a practising Muslim. Benzema currently plays for Real Madrid following a 35 million euro transfer from Lyon, and is a regular international player for France.
6. Samir Nasri
The young Samir Nasri has been a revelation at Arsenal and has been hailed by many in France as 'The New Zidane'.While Nasri may not achieve the same things as Zidane, he is without doubt a very talented player. Nasri was born to Algerian parents in France and raised as a Muslimm. He is in France's national team and also plays for Manchester City.
7. Yaya Toure
Yaya Toure is the younger brother of Kolo Toure (number 3) and formerly played as a defensive midfielder for Barcelona, although he is not a first choice player very often. Like his brother, Yaya is a practising Muslim. He now plays for Manchester City as well as for the Ivory Coast's national team.
8. Hatem Ben Arfa
Hatem Ben Arfa is a talented French international player of Tunisian descent, and formerly with Marseille. His father was a Tunisian international, and his whole family is Muslim. The current Newcastle United attacking midfielder has been described as "one of the best-rated talents in France".
9. Khalid Boulahrouz
Khalid Boulahrouz is a Dutch international defender of Berber Moroccan descent. He played in Germany for Stuttgart until his contract was ended in May 2012. He is currently in Netherlands' national team as defender.
10. Abou Diaby
Abou Diaby, like the Toure brothers, is of Ivorian descent. He was raised in France, and has played for their international team. The Arsenal star, who plays as a central midfielder, remains a practising Muslim.
/149