0:00:02 > 0:00:0420 years ago, there were no Muslim players
0:00:04 > 0:00:06in the English Premier League.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09But last year, here at Newcastle's St James' Park,
0:00:09 > 0:00:13no-one was left in any doubt that they had arrived.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15COMMENTATOR: Comes off Dunne, it's Taylor.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19Now Demba Ba. Newcastle 1-0.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse celebrated a goal with a Muslim prayer.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27I'm a striker. I love scoring goals,
0:00:27 > 0:00:30and every time I score one goal then I'm more than happy.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33That's why I prostrate.
0:00:33 > 0:00:40It's a kind of submission, not to anyone but to your creator.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42My religion is the most important thing to me.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45It's even more important than the football.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51The Premier League now has nearly 40 Muslim players.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Enough for three football teams.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57In this programme, we'll talk to players and managers
0:00:57 > 0:01:02and find out what impact Muslims are having on the English game.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06It's important to understand the basics of every religion.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09COMMENTATOR: What an absolute screamer!
0:01:09 > 0:01:14You find England is a very good place for practising the religion.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16COMMENTATOR: Mamady Sidibe!
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Everything I does, I does for God.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20And if God is happy with me, I am happy.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25But how has a profession with a reputation
0:01:25 > 0:01:28for nightclub brawls, boozing and excess
0:01:28 > 0:01:33dealt with teetotal players who value prayer and fasting?
0:01:33 > 0:01:35They still go to the nightclubs.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Don't worry about that!
0:01:38 > 0:01:39And we'll find out
0:01:39 > 0:01:45what inspired 40,000 Newcastle fans to start chanting about Ramadan.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48To have a chant like that, in the corner at Newcastle United,
0:01:48 > 0:01:50has got to be acceptance.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54And follow Wigan Athletic goalkeeper, Ali Al-Habsi,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56as his team triumphs in the FA Cup.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02When it comes to Islam, some might say British society needs
0:02:02 > 0:02:05positive messages of integration more than ever.
0:02:05 > 0:02:10Could English football offer up a surprising model for the future?
0:02:10 > 0:02:14# Championes, Championes... #
0:02:34 > 0:02:38It's May, almost the end of the English Premier League season,
0:02:38 > 0:02:42and not for the first time, Wigan Athletic are battling relegation.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52Goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi trains four times a week.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56But there are other commitments in his life which rank much higher.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00As a practising Muslim, Ali must pray five times a day.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Sometimes in the football you have a lot of pressure.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12You have a really hard time in football.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16But when you're a Muslim, when you believe in your faith,
0:03:16 > 0:03:21I think everything happen because...with a reason.
0:03:25 > 0:03:30When I left Oman 11 years ago, I was a fireman.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33And today, I reach the highest level of football
0:03:33 > 0:03:35in the most strongest league in the world.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38This is one of my dreams.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41When you have such a life like this, you have to thanks God.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48When he used to play for Bolton Wanderers,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51he used to come here with Sam Allardyce
0:03:51 > 0:03:53and the rest of the players, and we quite enjoyed it.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57Sam Allardyce, when he came, he stood outside the door and said,
0:03:57 > 0:03:59"I've only got five minutes. I've not got much time."
0:03:59 > 0:04:01And you'll never guess what time he left.
0:04:01 > 0:04:02After one-and-a-half hours.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Some players take a huge amount of time before a game,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11praying to their particular God.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15They won't go out on the pitch
0:04:15 > 0:04:19without doing some of the certain routines that they do.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23They feel God and their religion plays a huge part
0:04:23 > 0:04:26in how they perform on the field.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29When I start praying before the game, everyone respect what I do.
0:04:29 > 0:04:30And this is great.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33And they ask me a lot of questions.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38I feel very happy to have more questions about Islam and religion.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43We are sometimes curious
0:04:43 > 0:04:46to know how it works
0:04:46 > 0:04:50because it's different, it's just different with the other religions.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Especially for the Muslims.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55They have a lot of different things from the Catholics,
0:04:55 > 0:05:00so it's always interesting to ask them why they do it.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07I think the average professional in a Premier League dressing room
0:05:07 > 0:05:11knows far more about Islam than the person on the street.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14So actually, Islamophobia is an issue,
0:05:14 > 0:05:16but I think it's more an issue in English society
0:05:16 > 0:05:17than in English football.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23When it comes to accepting Islam,
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Premier League players are ahead of the game.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31But have the clubs adapted to Muslim players?
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Here at Liverpool's training ground,
0:05:33 > 0:05:37team doctor, Zafar Iqbal, looks after the physical well-being
0:05:37 > 0:05:39of some of the Premier League's biggest stars.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44All the players know that I'm Muslim. And they'll joke about it.
0:05:44 > 0:05:50And so for me, I'd much prefer that and that they at least understand
0:05:50 > 0:05:53what my way of living is and it's not hidden.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58The club itself have catered and been very accommodating.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02For example, in the canteen, the chicken is all halal.
0:06:02 > 0:06:03So the rest of the players,
0:06:03 > 0:06:05it doesn't really make a difference for them.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07I'm not asking for any preferential treatment.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11All it is, is just a little bit of awareness.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12You've got to be aware of it
0:06:12 > 0:06:14making sure you've got a prayer room,
0:06:14 > 0:06:18making sure you've got halal meat if you need it for the lads
0:06:18 > 0:06:21who have to have that type of food.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24And that's always very important for you, to make sure
0:06:24 > 0:06:26everybody's integrated into the club.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30We let everybody free to pray when you want.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33But, of course, it cannot be in the middle of a training session,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36it cannot be in the middle of a game.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40For the rest, everybody's free to believe what he wants
0:06:40 > 0:06:43and have the religion he wants. We respect that.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49It's quite simple. Clubs have realised that players, staff,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51are important assets and if you can get them on side,
0:06:51 > 0:06:54then you've got a better chance of them working harder for you.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56Come on, speed on the pass.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Keeping players on side? Always a good idea.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03However, the business side of the Premier League
0:07:03 > 0:07:05can pose challenges for Muslims.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Mamady Sidibe comes from the same mean streets of Paris
0:07:13 > 0:07:17that produced Didier Drogba and Thierry Henry.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20My first goal in the Premier League,
0:07:20 > 0:07:23our first win in the Premier League.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27It was a throw in from Rory Delap.
0:07:27 > 0:07:33He threw into the box. It was many Aston Villa defence here.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35And just touched the ball and it went in.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Let's see that for real, shall we?
0:07:40 > 0:07:43'It's Delap, up went Larsson to try to clear.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46'Mamady Sidibe!
0:07:46 > 0:07:48'It's Big Mama.'
0:07:48 > 0:07:50But Mamady's commitment to Islam
0:07:50 > 0:07:54means there are some dressing room rituals, like gambling,
0:07:54 > 0:07:55that he has to pass on.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Gamble, I never gamble.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01In my religion it's forbidden. I can't gamble.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04Somes going to make money but I think you lose more money
0:08:04 > 0:08:08than anything else. It brings more problems into your family.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13And I can live without gambling.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17But for Muslim players, who wear their faith on their sleeve,
0:08:17 > 0:08:21wearing a betting company's logo on their shirt can be uncomfortable.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26I think that's usually out of the hands of the Muslim.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Although he's not allowed to obviously gamble,
0:08:29 > 0:08:32I think that's something which is definitely out of the way,
0:08:32 > 0:08:34something that you cannot affect really.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36We are the players
0:08:36 > 0:08:39and all these things is coming from the football club.
0:08:39 > 0:08:44It's not about... We can't do about it anything because we go there,
0:08:44 > 0:08:45we do our job.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49But one thing Muslim players can control
0:08:49 > 0:08:51is how they use their wealth.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Arsenal player Abou Diaby has his own charity,
0:08:54 > 0:08:58and supports other good causes like this one in London.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- 14.- You're 14? You sure?
0:09:01 > 0:09:03THEY LAUGH
0:09:03 > 0:09:07We live in a society, and if you like...
0:09:07 > 0:09:10everybody are different.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15But the differences has to bring people together.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20By doing charity activities to help people, I think is a very good thing
0:09:20 > 0:09:22to live together.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24I have one question,
0:09:24 > 0:09:27when are you going to sign for Tottenham Hotspur?
0:09:28 > 0:09:31It's a good one!
0:09:31 > 0:09:35Lots of Premier League players have their own charitable foundations.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39But for Muslims, charity is one of the foundations of their faith.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42When you become famous
0:09:42 > 0:09:45and you've got the money, you know what you have to do, because as
0:09:45 > 0:09:48a Muslim you have to give 2.5%
0:09:48 > 0:09:54of your money away, like, every year.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57So, does he give away 2.5%?
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Yeah, I am a Muslim, I have to.
0:09:59 > 0:10:012.5% off the pitch,
0:10:01 > 0:10:03110% on it!
0:10:07 > 0:10:10Back in Wigan, Ali Al-Habsi has helped his team get through
0:10:10 > 0:10:13to their first ever FA Cup Final.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19As the squad heads down to Wembley for the big match,
0:10:19 > 0:10:23some unlikely Wigan fans have already arrived.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28It's a beautiful set. Imagine when it's full.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31This is the Omani FA.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34They've flown over to support Ali Al-Habsi,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37as he's the captain of their national team.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Because of Ali Al-Habsi,
0:10:39 > 0:10:42every single person in Oman will be
0:10:42 > 0:10:46following this game and hoping that Wigan will win this game.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49In recent years, Wigan may have been one of the smallest clubs
0:10:49 > 0:10:50in the Premier League,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53but they now have a massive following in the Middle East.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56Wigan have got a quarter of their population coming, 23,000 tickets.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59The town only has a population of 80,000 people.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02There's probably about 15,000 Omanis as well!
0:11:04 > 0:11:09Wembley hasn't seen that many Omanis since the 1996 final,
0:11:09 > 0:11:12when the Liverpool squad wore those awful white suits.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Ah, no, those were Armanis!
0:11:17 > 0:11:21The game here tomorrow is sponsored by a beer company.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24The English game has a love affair with booze.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Yet for Muslims, alcohol is forbidden.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32As a Muslim, we don't drink alcohol
0:11:32 > 0:11:35because of the effects it can have on the body.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Ultimately, we're meant to be in control of our own actions,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40so alcohol can influence that.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43Greater professionalism in football
0:11:43 > 0:11:47has meant that the game is gradually sobering up.
0:11:47 > 0:11:5020 years ago you would have players who, after the match,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53their idea of refuelling would be ten pints of Guinness.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Now their idea of refuelling
0:11:55 > 0:11:59is carefully calibrated bottles of isotonic drinks.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03And it's interesting talking to some managers, they think it's great
0:12:03 > 0:12:06having Muslim players in because they don't drink.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10They still go to the nightclubs, don't worry about that!
0:12:10 > 0:12:14So, er, I think generally they drink fruit juices and stuff like that,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17so they are capable of training
0:12:17 > 0:12:20without having intoxicated their body with alcohol.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Dr Zafar Iqbal has found that, even in the mayhem of victory,
0:12:26 > 0:12:30players have been careful to keep alcohol away from him.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33We were playing in the Carling Cup Final and after the game,
0:12:33 > 0:12:37the players were obviously going to be spraying champagne about,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40and they made sure I wasn't in the dressing room, kept me out of it.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43And they even went to the extent of removing my clothes
0:12:43 > 0:12:45from the dressing room as well.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48So it's that kind of understanding and acceptance which, for me,
0:12:48 > 0:12:52was very touching and made me feel accepted.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57But has the football establishment in England moved with the times?
0:13:01 > 0:13:04At Wembley, the Omani FA are collecting a new cup
0:13:04 > 0:13:06for their own domestic competition.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13But, due to the influx of top Muslim players,
0:13:13 > 0:13:17they're not the only ones getting a new trophy.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20Traditionally, British football awards champagne
0:13:20 > 0:13:22to the Man of the Match.
0:13:22 > 0:13:23I was Man of the Match,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26but they say to me, we know that you are Muslim
0:13:26 > 0:13:29and you don't take alcoholic bottles.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31So what did they give him?
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Nothing!
0:13:33 > 0:13:34Nice(!)
0:13:34 > 0:13:38They had the champagne, but when I take them,
0:13:38 > 0:13:42I always throw them out because if it's forbidden for me,
0:13:42 > 0:13:46I can't also give the champagne to someone else!
0:13:46 > 0:13:49There was a famous incident when Yaya Toure
0:13:49 > 0:13:52won the Barclays champagne bottle as Man of the Match.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Yaya very politely said, I'm Muslim, I don't drink
0:13:55 > 0:13:59and I think it was at some point after that, that Barclays realised
0:13:59 > 0:14:02actually Yaya is winning so many Man of the Matches and other
0:14:02 > 0:14:05Muslim players are doing so well and winning Man of the Match,
0:14:05 > 0:14:07we won't have champagne any more,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10we'll just have a sort of vase, bauble, trophy number.
0:14:14 > 0:14:20It's the day of the FA Cup Final, between Wigan and Man City.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Wigan are massive underdogs.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27Fans arriving at the stadium have come more in hope than expectation.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- We love Ali, we love him! - We love him.- He's a Wiganer.
0:14:31 > 0:14:32Come on, Wigan!
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Yeah, he prays at the start of the game.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36As a Wigan fan, everybody looks to the sky anyway
0:14:36 > 0:14:38to try and keep out the goals!
0:14:38 > 0:14:40He's a good player.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44He's got potential for the near future, so...
0:14:44 > 0:14:48We got 100% faith in him. The guy's a god.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53Meanwhile, on the M6,
0:14:53 > 0:14:57a bus is bringing the family and friends of Wigan goalkeeper,
0:14:57 > 0:14:58Ali Al-Habsi.
0:14:58 > 0:15:04It seems that, even in Oman, the British summer is notorious.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06THEY SING:
0:15:12 > 0:15:14See? Happy! We're going to win it!
0:15:15 > 0:15:19It's a big day for Wigan, but it's just as big back in Oman.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27Ali in Oman is like David Beckham over here or Wayne Rooney here,
0:15:27 > 0:15:28Ali is over there.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30The majority of Muslim people around the world
0:15:30 > 0:15:32are very proud of Al-Habsi.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34I'm a fan of Arsenal, to be honest with you.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39People portray Islam as being extremism
0:15:39 > 0:15:41and I think this today shows
0:15:41 > 0:15:45that Islam distances itself from all this bad publicity.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Coming off now the M6, junction 38,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52we are heading to a nice Arabic restaurant,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55for maximum one hour 15 minutes.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Joining them on the bus is Ali's friend, Dave.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02He's Wigan through and through.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05All Wiganers are known as pie-eaters,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09but today Dave's getting a taste for something entirely different -
0:16:09 > 0:16:13a rice dish from Yemen called Mandi.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Only thing I need to learn is the words to the songs!
0:16:16 > 0:16:18I'm a bit stuck on that, no disrespect.
0:16:18 > 0:16:19But it's been fantastic
0:16:19 > 0:16:23and now I'm going to have my first ever taste of Arabic food.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25There's quite a lot for three people on there.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27I'll never starve, put it that way.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30I doubt Dave will ever go hungry.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36But for Muslim players, food is at the centre of a conflict
0:16:36 > 0:16:38between their football and their faith.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Ramadan.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46It's a 30-day period that can come at any time of the year
0:16:46 > 0:16:49and any time of the season.
0:16:49 > 0:16:50Come on, guys, let's pray.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56The aim is to get closer to God and to do this,
0:16:56 > 0:17:01Muslims don't eat, or even drink, for up to 18 hours a day.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04The only issue I've got with regards to religion and football
0:17:04 > 0:17:08is when some of the players are obviously fasting through Ramadan
0:17:08 > 0:17:11and they're not the player that they could be.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17We just hope that it doesn't affect their performance
0:17:17 > 0:17:20because if it affects the performance,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23it will affect the team and will affect themselves as well.
0:17:23 > 0:17:29They're so starved of nutrition and fluids, they could quickly fatigue
0:17:29 > 0:17:31and quickly feel faint and disorientated.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39You don't want to upset your manager or your team or your club
0:17:39 > 0:17:41and also God on the other side.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47The controversy surrounding Ramadan is one reason why Riz Rehman
0:17:47 > 0:17:49wants to educate the managers of the future.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53You never ever know when,
0:17:53 > 0:17:55the situation they're going to find themselves in.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58As an example, if Alan Pardew at Newcastle gets the sack next week,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Mark Viduka goes into position
0:18:01 > 0:18:04and he could inherit a squad with nearly 40% Muslim players.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06So if he's had that training and that awareness,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09they're better equipped to deal with them.
0:18:10 > 0:18:15- Anyone know what Ramadan is? - Fasting, isn't it?
0:18:15 > 0:18:20Yeah, fasting. In the summer now, it's going to be 18 hours. 18 hours.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- For how many days?- 30 days.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26Nathan Ellington, he says it doesn't affect him.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28But when he was playing for one certain manager,
0:18:28 > 0:18:31the manager dropped him as the manager had made his mind up
0:18:31 > 0:18:33that cos he's a Muslim, it's going to affect him,
0:18:33 > 0:18:35so I'm not going to pick him.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Do you think that's fair? Right or wrong?
0:18:38 > 0:18:41It doesn't matter what he's saying, I know that his body wouldn't do it.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45I think if I was the manager, I would probably put him on the bench,
0:18:45 > 0:18:47play him in the last 30 minutes or something.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51You're right. Yeah, of course it's going to affect their play.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54I'm not saying they're not human cos they are.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56But at least first do talk to him
0:18:56 > 0:18:58and if all the tests mean he can run just as much
0:18:58 > 0:19:01as someone who is drinking or who is eating as much,
0:19:01 > 0:19:03then why put him on the bench?
0:19:03 > 0:19:05We had a Muslim and in Ramadan
0:19:05 > 0:19:08he used to have to have the morning off.
0:19:08 > 0:19:09None of the boys cared.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Even half an hour before the match, he'd be nowhere to be seen
0:19:12 > 0:19:14because he'd be in the mosque,
0:19:14 > 0:19:16or he'd be outside in the coach service station.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18We'd stop, we didn't why we'd stopped,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21and we'd see him out on his mat in the middle of the car park, praying.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23No-one really cared, you know.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26The dilemma for a player during Ramadan is that they have to
0:19:26 > 0:19:28be in peak physical condition,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31and if they are fasting throughout the day
0:19:31 > 0:19:34and it's maybe an evening kick-off
0:19:34 > 0:19:37and they've had 12 hours without taking in fluids or foods,
0:19:37 > 0:19:39then that is an issue.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42Balancing the physical demands of the game
0:19:42 > 0:19:46with the religious requirements of Ramadan isn't always easy.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Both players and managers have to make compromises.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54Every time I had a manager who was not happy with it, I just tell him,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57"Listen, I do it.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59"If my performance is still good, then I keep playing.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02"If it's bad, then you drop me on the bench and that's it."
0:20:02 > 0:20:04They would prefer me to not fast
0:20:04 > 0:20:09but they understand it's a special moment for me
0:20:09 > 0:20:17and again, they try to accommodate things to make me better.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21I make sure, like, on Saturday, on the match day, I'm not fasting.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25Also, probably to not give excuses to people
0:20:25 > 0:20:28to say, "Look, he's fasting, that's why he's not been good."
0:20:28 > 0:20:32But it's nothing to do with that because you have some players
0:20:32 > 0:20:35who fast on match days and they are doing very well,
0:20:35 > 0:20:37they're playing very well. It's no problem.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43Two years ago, Ramadan became part of football folklore.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45When Newcastle signed Demba Ba,
0:20:45 > 0:20:50the fans got a hungrier striker than they'd bargained for.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53However, a lack of goals put a spotlight on his fasting.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57People say it's because of Ramadan.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02I just said it's because of getting a new team and stuff like this.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05I start scoring goals just after Ramadan,
0:21:05 > 0:21:12so supporters, fans in England are very good at finding songs.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Newcastle fans affectionately reworked the Depeche Mode song
0:21:16 > 0:21:19Just Can't Get Enough into a jubilant chant.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23THEY CHANT:
0:21:28 > 0:21:30The Ramadan song is absolutely fantastic.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34"He scored so many since Ramadan," and to have a chant like that
0:21:34 > 0:21:38in the corner at Newcastle United has got to be acceptance.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41To be accepted to that level, to me, is fantastic.
0:21:41 > 0:21:46The song was chanted all season, outside and inside stadiums.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01He scored 17 goals, so it was a bloody long song at the end
0:22:01 > 0:22:04because you had to sing every one of those verses 17 times!
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Back at Wembley, the mist may not have descended,
0:22:13 > 0:22:15but the heavens have opened.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17# You'll never notice how much I love you
0:22:17 > 0:22:20# So please don't take my sunshine away... #
0:22:20 > 0:22:21All together now!
0:22:21 > 0:22:25# You are my sunshine... #
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Meanwhile, on the bus, the Omani weather forecasters
0:22:28 > 0:22:33are about to get some news they hadn't predicted.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37# We're going to Wembley Que sera, sera... #
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Is it...?
0:22:39 > 0:22:43You're joking? He's on the bench?
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Ali's not been chosen to play.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48He'll sit on the bench as a substitute.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56We are so disappointed because we were looking forward
0:22:56 > 0:23:00to seeing Ali playing and it's not to be,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03but it's the manager's decision, so you have to respect it.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09Because of the shocking news we just had,
0:23:09 > 0:23:12I don't even feel that I want to go to the game really.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19If you've got a faith, I think that's what its main object is,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22to help you through life's trials and tribulations.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28My faith really guides my life, in everything I do,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30in everything I do every day.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32It gives me as well a lot of confidence.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39'I think faith is important for life.'
0:23:39 > 0:23:44If you don't have faith, I think you feel alone really.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Sometimes you get very, very hard time with injury,
0:23:50 > 0:23:54or maybe you don't start the games or a competition,
0:23:54 > 0:23:57but when you have the belief for yourself from God,
0:23:57 > 0:23:59you come in really stronger.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Arriving at the stadium lifts everybody's spirits.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10We did the big journey. Now it's the time to enjoy it.
0:24:12 > 0:24:13Come on, Wigan!
0:24:13 > 0:24:16CHEERING AND CHANTING
0:24:17 > 0:24:19THEY CHANT:
0:24:32 > 0:24:36'I think we live in a multicultural society full stop today.'
0:24:36 > 0:24:39While you'll never get rid of some of the problems that occur,
0:24:39 > 0:24:43I think generally in football, we are all blessed to be footballers
0:24:43 > 0:24:45and we're all blessed to be together.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49# Ali Habsi is a Blue He hates Bolton! #
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Look at the people, look how much they like Ali.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56You know, how much Ali also likes those people.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59So we are happy at the end now.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Ali! Ali! Ali!
0:25:01 > 0:25:03People occasionally criticise English football
0:25:03 > 0:25:06as being behind the times, but actually it's way ahead of the time,
0:25:06 > 0:25:09it's maybe how society really should be.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12I'm from Oman! I'm not a Wiganer any more!
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Here's my new family!
0:25:15 > 0:25:17'When the players come in more in the Premier League,
0:25:17 > 0:25:21'I think the people will understand more about Islam.'
0:25:21 > 0:25:26Especially with...even with the fans, because the fans, you know,
0:25:26 > 0:25:31when they see some Muslim players in big clubs or Premier Leagues,
0:25:31 > 0:25:35they start reading about this Islam and everything
0:25:35 > 0:25:41and you get more understanding how we are like normal people.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44We like to be with everyone.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Inside Wembley, Wigan pull off
0:25:46 > 0:25:49one of the biggest FA Cup Final upsets ever.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52COMMENTATOR: Added time, three minutes.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55There's a corner in towards WATSON!
0:25:55 > 0:25:58There is a new name on the old trophy!
0:25:58 > 0:26:01And that name is Wigan Athletic!
0:26:01 > 0:26:04We won! We won! We won! We won! Come on, Wigan!
0:26:04 > 0:26:07I told you we were going to win and we win it - yes!
0:26:07 > 0:26:10We went crazy. We were jumping like crazy.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15So how does Ali think the people of Oman will be feeling right now?
0:26:15 > 0:26:18You can see all the flags in the stadium here in Wembley
0:26:18 > 0:26:21and, you know, I'm so, so happy.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23CROWD CHEERS
0:26:23 > 0:26:27My friends said to me, "You're going on the coach, would you not feel isolated?
0:26:27 > 0:26:29"It's a bit strange for you, the only white person."
0:26:29 > 0:26:31It doesn't matter.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34It just shows you can go to a game and not drink alcohol
0:26:34 > 0:26:36and have a better time.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Absolutely overwhelmed by this and I've waited all my life.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Muslim players from abroad like Ali
0:26:45 > 0:26:47have thrived in the English Premier League.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52But, as yet, no British Muslim has ever walked out on the Wembley turf
0:26:52 > 0:26:54as an England player.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
0:26:56 > 0:27:00also haven't fielded a Muslim footballer.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04Zesh Rehman is one of the few British Muslims
0:27:04 > 0:27:06to have broken through to the Premier League.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08He believes that, one day,
0:27:08 > 0:27:13a British Muslim WILL go one step further and play for England.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16When the day comes, when a British Asian kid plays for England,
0:27:16 > 0:27:18it will be massive in terms of integration
0:27:18 > 0:27:21and opening up the mindsets of people a lot more
0:27:21 > 0:27:26because, if one thing can help to create harmony, it's football.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28If that day comes, it'll be a monumental occasion.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31MAN LEADS PRAYER
0:27:33 > 0:27:37These sessions, where young Muslim players can both play and pray,
0:27:37 > 0:27:41are one way of encouraging the Muslim stars of the future.
0:27:42 > 0:27:43It's very disappointing
0:27:43 > 0:27:46that there aren't more home-grown Muslim footballers,
0:27:46 > 0:27:49but it also took time for black players to come through
0:27:49 > 0:27:51and represent England.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55It will happen. The door is open for them to get in.
0:27:55 > 0:28:01To have a Muslim lad wearing this would be a remarkable achievement
0:28:01 > 0:28:04for someone, and I'd invite them down to my house for some coffee.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07There's no doubt that, one day,
0:28:07 > 0:28:10a British Muslim will wear the three lions on his shirt
0:28:10 > 0:28:13because that is football's greatest strength -
0:28:13 > 0:28:16it celebrates raw talent, no matter where you're from
0:28:16 > 0:28:18or what you believe.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21It doesn't matter about religion, it's football, it's just a game.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29There is something heartening about a Muslim fireman from Oman
0:28:29 > 0:28:32becoming a hero to a town of Northern pie-eaters.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34# Championes! Championes! #
0:28:34 > 0:28:39This is the English game, in all its unexpected and unlikely glory.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42To paraphrase Jimmy Greaves, it's a funny old game.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50During fasting, Luis Suarez,
0:28:50 > 0:28:54he'd come to me at sunset and say, "Doc, it's time to eat,"
0:28:54 > 0:28:55just like I'd forgotten.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59What do you call that Everton player?
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Fellaini!
0:29:02 > 0:29:04Fellaini. He came here and loved it.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd