YOUHANA EMBRACES ISLAM

Waheed Khan, Arab News

KARACHI, 18 September 2005 — The Pakistan cricket team’s Vice-Captain Yousuf Youhana, the lone Christian in the squad, has embraced Islam, according to a media report yesterday.
The conversion reportedly took place last week in Makkah, the report said.
Some of the middle-order batman’s teammates yesterday revealed that he had said the “Kalema” (the declaration to convert) on his recent trip to Makkah in Saudi Arabia. Wife Tania and children have supported his decision.
“The conversion took place with members of a “Tableeghi jamaat” present with him in Makkah, where he and his family said the “Kalema” and later performed the “Umrah,” one player said.
“Youhana and his family have also been issued certificates in the holy place confirming their Muslim status that allowed them to perform ‘Umrah’.”
Youhana neither confirmed nor denied his decision, but chose to keep silent on the issue, as he wanted to respect his parents’ sentiments. They are reportedly unhappy with the decision, as are many of his relatives.
Said the player: “He is facing a tough time. At the moment, he is trying to balance things and get them through this tough period for them.
“It is also true that two Pakistan players had played a key role in helping him with the decision, which was first opposed but later supported by his wife.
“Youhana was going to convert a few years back, but having faced opposition and emotional blackmail from his wife, parents and other relatives, he had to stall the inevitable.
He then convinced his wife and children of the need to become Muslims, while some players played a key role in this process,” the player confirmed.
Those aware of the events that led to Youhana’s conversion, say that he had gradually showed interest in the Islamic teachings a few years ago. This was when he moved around with the Pakistan team and saw them praying and preaching.
A Pakistan team member said Youhana now prayed regularly and was getting help from a notable Islamic teacher to read and understand the Holy Qur’an.
The source also said Youhana has taken his children out of a modern private school in Lahore and enrolled them in a school with more Islamic leanings.