True to His Faith Both on and Off the Football Field This Minnesota Viking Is

Husain Abdullah, the Minnesota Vikings backup safety who is currently at Vikings Training camp in Mankato, Mn. is about to experience a very challenging month, not only on the football field, but in is personal life. The practicing Muslim is preparing himself for the traditional 30 day Ramadan Fast, while continuing his practicing of football at the Vikings Training camp. He's not about to give up one for the other.

The traditional Ramadan Fast consists of not eating or drinking during the daylight hours for a 30 day period. Abdullah is adamant about his faith and will not allow himself to waver from the Fast even during training drills in full pads during the hot and humid August dog days of summer here in Mankato, Mn. Abdullah is quoted as saying "this is something I choose to do for myself and I'm not going to break the fast. I'm not putting anything before God and my religion." I would call this total dedication to something you firmly believe.

Last year Husian Abdullah tried to keep this Ramadan tradition of the 30 day fast to himself. This year the Vikings will be able to help him better handle his lack of nourishment being he has come out of the closet, so to speak, about his Islam beliefs. Brad Childress, the Minnesota Vikings coach said they were wondering what was wrong with Abdullah when he just didn't seem to have enough spunk during this time last year.

"I think we have our arms around the situation now knowing when Abdullah is going to eat and drink so we can pack the nutrition on him before the sun comes up", Childress said. Abdullah recently worked with the Viking's nutritionist on a meal and hydration plan to make sure he gets enough calories to maintain his energy, stamina and health during this Ramadan Fast. He eats big meals after dark and gets up during the night for protein shakes.

Abdullah is considered to be a good football player by the Vikings. The team says he plays well and is good special teams player whose skills are interchangeable in emergency situations.

Last year Abdullah suffered a back and hip injury, but insists it had nothing to do with his fasting regimen.

Fasting is considered to be rare in professional sports, since proper nutrition is a key to optimum performance, but it's not unprecedented. Abdullah's older brother Hamza plays for the Arizona Cardinals as a safety and also plans to observe the Ramadan Fast. Former NBA star Hakeem Oajuwon also observed the fast.

Abdullah has been trying to encourage teammates and other Vikings personal to join him in this discipline. "Some say they will", he said, " but others are reluctant to sign up." It'll be interesting to know if anyone else really did go through with it and was able to complete the whole 30 day period of fasting.

Abdullah grew up in Pomona, Calif., one of 12 children. He said he has observed the Ramadan Fast since he was 7 years old. "It's something he looks forwards to, not dreads," he said.

I know very little about the Muslim religion or their traditions, but I admire someone who is willing to stand up for their religious beliefs in this day and age, weather their on a football field or working for the New York Stock Exchange. It's just another sign of their true character, I feel.

Sources: wcco.com/vikings/husian.abdullah.ramadan
personal opinion