South African left-arm fast bowler Wayne Parnell has accepted Islam as his new religion. He, if selected in future, will now be third Muslim in current South African team along with Hashim Amla and Pakistan born Imran Tahir.
A South African news agency
Independent Online published news that Wayne Parnell has converted to Islamic faith. Proteas’ team manager Dr Mohammad Moosajee confirmed the news by saying: “It was his choice to embrace Islam.”
Another South African news site also says that he has not finalized his Islamic name yet but it is likely to be Waleed. As of now he is Wayne Dillon Parnell.
Some forwarded text messages are of the view that Proteas ODI vice-captain Hashim Amla’s influenced Parnell’s conversion from Christianity to Islam. However, Parnell’s agent Ismail Kajee has denied this rumor.
Photo Credit: Guardian.co.uk
Wayne Parnell, who is about to turn 22, was captain of South Africa’s team in U/19 WC 2008. He made his Test debut in 2010 against England after making his ODI debut in 2009 against Australia.
Parnell is a left-arm bowler who relies on his pace and is highly regarded as limited-over cricket specialist. In ODIs, so far, he has taken 31 wickets in 19 games. He is also known for his hostile, yorker-infested, spell against Pakistan in ICC World T20 Semi Final 2009 in Nottingham.
He has also represented Delhi daredevils and Pune Warriors in IPL 2010 and 2011 respectively. Currently, he is a team-mate of Rana Naveed-ul-Hassan and Umar Gul in Sussex county’s campaign in Friends life t20 in England.
Wayne Parnell is now Whallid Parnell
According to a South African Newspaper
Independent Online, Wayne Parnell has converted to Islamic faith. Proteas’ team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee confirmed the news by saying: “It was his choice to embrace Islam.” His Islamic name is Whallid (waleed) which means ‘great one’.
Wayne Parnell has the honour to represent South Africa at very tender age. He came to limelight when he captained South African Under-19 team in the U-19 World Cup in 2008. He was the youngest player to get a central contract in 2009 at the age of 20 years.
Influence of fellow Protea players Hashim Amla and Imran Tahir on his change of faith is not confirmed yet, although an SMS was circulating citing the possible role of these two. According to the Newspaper, Amla’s agent Ismail Kajee said it was not true that the ODI (vice) captain (
sic) had any influence in Parnell’s decision to convert to Islam.
He may continue to use his Christian name while playing for his nation. As his first Ramadan is approaching where he is expected to observe his first ever fast, attempts to contact him weren’t successful.
In the current team, he will be the third Muslim after Hashim Amla and Pakistan-born Imran Tahir. South Africa being an open and tolerant society ensures that he continues to lead his life and pursue his career as he was doing before. Happy new life to Whallid Parnell!
He is the second Christian to have reverted to Islam after Pakistan’s Yousuf Yohana (now Mohammad Yousuf) in 2006.
As regards other sports many notable sportsmen have embraced Islam including:
- Renowned American basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (formerly Lew Alcindor)
- Abdul Karim al-Jabbar (famous US footballer)
- Brazilian football players Marcio Souza De Silva and Muhammad Danilo Fernando
- French football players Eric Abidal, Franck Ribery (now Tarek) and Nicolas Anelka
- Dutch footballer Robin van Persie
- Sonny Bill Williams (
New Zealand rugby union player and a heavyweight boxer)
- Most importantly American boxers Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali Clay.