The Yorkshire County Cricket Club was pleased to support the Muslim members of England and Australia’s dressing rooms during the second day of the Ashes Test for Friday prayers.
The Club arranged for Imam Hafiz Zain Ul Abdin, from the Masjid Nimrah mosque in Bradford, to come to the ground at 1pm and lead players and support staff in their prayers before the afternoon session started at Headingley.
Included from England Men was Moeen Ali alongside a number of Yorkshire Cricket staff, while an invitation was extended to the Australian Men’s side to take part in the multi-faith room, which is open to people from all faiths, in the East Stand at the ground.
The Yorkshire County Cricket Club was pleased to support the Muslim members of England’s and Australia’s dressing rooms during the second day of the Ashes Test for Friday prayers.
Yaseen Mohammed, a member of the YCCC Board, who was in attendance during Friday prayers, said: “We were pleased to support an Imam coming into Headingley and support the Muslim members from both the England Men and Australia Men’s sides.
“It is nice to be able to support players and staff so they can fulfil their duty as a Muslim first of all and then for their country by going out and playing – it’s great for us to support this.”
Stephen Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer at Yorkshire Cricket, said: “We believe it is important for the Yorkshire Family to support our Muslim community and it is integral to supporting the work we already do in building a sport that is equal for all.
“By understanding the faith and cultural needs of our Muslim players, staff and fans, we are helping to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.
“Supporting our Muslim community is one of many initiatives Yorkshire Cricket is committed to in order to support equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of the Club and reflect Yorkshire’s rich and vibrant community.”
The multi-faith room was officially opened by YCCC and Regal Foods in 2016.
“We have been delighted to support the multi faith room over the years and are really pleased that the players and staff from such an iconic fixture have been able to perform their Friday prayers in congregation,” said Faz Ali, Director of Regal Foods, who was also in attendance at the prayers.
