As more than a billion Muslims all over the world prepare for Ramadan next Monday, Mohamed El-Munir of Los Angeles Football Club sees the holy month as a real challenge, as it coincides with an important stretch of his team’s Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign, Sports Illustrated reports.
“Ramadan is one of the most special months we have in our lives as Muslims,” says El-Munir, 27, who joined LAFC in December after one season with Orlando City.
During Ramadan, Muslims including the Libyan footballer abstain from eating and drinking between sunrise and sunset, fulfilling one of the Five Pillars of Islam while practicing purification and self-discipline.
“We enjoy 11 months of God’s blessings, and this is a time we can make sacrifices and be thankful and submit to Him,” the religious player said.
Fasting Ramadan is obligatory for every adult and healthy Muslim, however, not every Muslim athlete chooses to fast while training. For devoted adherents, the month poses a distinct challenge.
Hakeem Olajuwon famously fasted during Ramadan, even on Rockets game days, while former Chiefs and Vikings safety Husain Abdullah fasted throughout training camp in 2010.
El-Munir’s team entered May in first place in MLS, and the team has five games during Ramadan. So, to stay fit during that stretch, the Muslim athlete adheres to a special diet at night, when eating and drinking are permitted.
“I take some protein shakes for energy before the sun rises. To break my fast, I start off with dates, milk and sometimes a strawberry and banana smoothie. Then I work my way through dishes like chicken and meat, fish, pasta and rice,” he planned.
Every Ramadan, Muslim athletes feel worried about the possibility of having the games conflict with fasting.
Islam is a religion of balance and moderation that advocates assuming all worldly means along with spiritual, mental and emotional tools.
A very well-balanced diet that meets all the athlete’s nutrients and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) need is essential for optimum performance. Athletes can still get all their nutritional needs during their non-fasting hours.
During Ramadan, El-Munir also indulges in traditional Libyan cuisine such as osban, a traditional sausage stuffed with a mixture of rice, herbs and chopped lamb served with couscous—though he’s careful to limit himself.
“Those national meals make me feel at home, but just because you’re fasting doesn’t mean you can eat whatever you want, whenever you want at night after iftar,” the footballer said. “You have to be mindful of what you’re putting in your body.”