In an interview with BBC Sport, the former Sonny Bill Williams opened up about his faith and how it’s brought the best out of him on and off the field. Williams converted to Islam in 2009 while playing rugby for French club Toulon. It came after a “wild” period early in his career where he found himself Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Sonny Bill Williams’
Rugby and religion: Sonny Bill Williams on how Islam has helped his career
Monday, November 18th, 2019All Blacks putting religious differences aside
Monday, October 21st, 2019
Sonny Bill Williams says the All Blacks have evolved during his decade with the team. They can now put aside differences including religion and speaking openly about personal struggles is the norm, “I think the cool thing in the last 12 months is a lot of boys in the team are real, speak their mind, Read more
Sonny Bill Williams: What led him to finding Islam
Monday, April 15th, 2019All Blacks star Sonny Bill Willaims sat down with British Muslim convert John Fontain in the wake of the March 15th mosque attacks. He spoke about what the religion means to him, how he has struggled with acceptance in society, the toll the Christchurch attack has taken on his family and how special it was Read more
Sonny Bill Williams says fasting helps mind and body
Monday, June 26th, 2017
Sonny Bill Williams had only a small meal of grilled fish and steamed vegetables, and drank a glass or two of water, before he took to the field for the first test match between the British and Irish Lions and the All Blacks. The had the meal just after the sunset at 5.10pm. As a Read more
Sonny Bill Williams tries traditional treatment after head knock.
Monday, May 8th, 2017
Not for the first time, Sonny Bill Williams has resorted to hijama, an ancient Middle Eastern treatment to fix his rugby wounds. Hijama has been around for millennia. It was recommended by the Prophet Muhammad. Williams left the field just before halftime in the Blues Super Rugby match against the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday Read more
Collar-gate: Covering up a logo causes a wave of moral indignation
Thursday, April 20th, 2017
When Sony Bill William covered up a BNZ logo on his rugby shirt he crossed a line that few have crossed in New Zealand; he made a public display of his religious convictions. It was a move that made world-wide headlines and it was not received well by all. It even merited a comment from Read more
Sonny Bill Williams is happiest at prayer time
Friday, July 1st, 2016
All Black Sonny Bill Williams has said he is most happy when he is saying his prayers. In an article in the UK Daily Mail, Williams admitted to having to fit his Islamic diet and prayer around an intensive rugby schedule. “When I’m most happy is when I’m doing my prayers,” he said. “When you Read more
Islam has helped show the world the real Sonny Bill
Friday, November 6th, 2015
The world is in love with Sonny Bill Williams. One of his closest friends, Australian boxer Anthony Mundine, a fellow Muslim, says a huge part of the change he has undergone is down his conversion to Islam. During the Rugby World Cup Sonny Bill Gave away his medal to a 14 year old boy. Mingling Read more
Why Sonny Bill Williams converted to Islam
Friday, November 29th, 2013
On Wednesday Sonny Bill Williams became the first Kiwi to be named the Rugby League International Federation player of the year He says his Muslim Faith has helped him to become the man he is today. He grew up a Christian but meeting a Tunisian family who lived with their five children in a one-bedroom Read more
Sonny Bill stays mum on Murray’s Muslim moment
Friday, March 16th, 2012
Sonny Bill Williams has so far not responded to a comment made by broadcaster Murray Deaker about his religion. Williams is a Muslim. In February, Deaker declared on Sky TV that he did not like Williams: “He is a Muslim, in a so-called Christian country, and that makes me uncomfortable.” Sky will not release the Deaker on Read more