Verify source first before viralling fake news of Roberto Carlos purported conversion to Islam

 

Letter to Editor

WITH tree-like thighs, Roberto Carlos quite possibly defined the position of fullback in the modern game of football.

Strong, monstrously athletic and able to relentlessly cover vast swathes of pitch, the Brazilian legend capped his game off with an almighty bazooka of a left foot.

His physic-defying freekick scored in a 1997 friendly against France still bamboozles football fans and pros alike till this very day. Watch the clip, scratch your head and simply be amazed at what he was able to do a leather football.

Add a glittering career at both club and international level where he won every major trophy including Champions Leagues and a World Cup speaks volumes of his achievements as a purveyor of the beautiful game.

But it wasn’t his glittering career nor clips of his incredible skills that got chins wagging this week.

It was images of Carlos who retired from professional football in 2012 getting hitched to his Moroccan-Lebanese partner in a ceremony overseen by respected Islamic figures in Brazil.

This quickly led to “news” that the flying fullback had embraced Islam with many Muslims (both local and abroad) rejoicing in welcoming their new brother into the fold.

This high-profile conversion was wildly celebrated with plenty of “congratulatory” messages.

What if the table is turned?

Now, here’s the thing I would to kindly point out to my Muslim friends. Some of the “rejoicing” could do with a little toning down.

What would be the reaction if non-Muslims similarly “celebrated” a Muslim renouncing his or her faith? Imagine seeing “congratulatory” messages on one’s social media feeds on such an individual’s daring feat.

How would Muslims feel? Or is there a different set of rules that apply here?

Some sheltered Muslims here also think that Syariah principles apply elsewhere in the world the same way in Malaysia.

If you want to marry a Muslim, you must convert first. That assumption doesn’t apply in non-Muslim countries like Brazil where the ceremony took place.

Surprise, surprise, of all people, to exercise caution in the scramble to announce the former Real Madrid player’s supposed conversion to Islam was controversial Muslim convert preacher Firdaus Wong Wai Hung who counselled that it was “not verified yet”.

As highlighted by a Muslim commenter, do not be so swift to spread unverified news. This including claims of high-profile individuals such as astronaut Neil Armstrong, pop icon Michael Jackson and Portuguese super brand Christiano “CR7” Ronaldo to have made the leap.

He could not hide his contempt for those who used such materials to preach, lambasting them for having a “pathetic attitude”. It was also quite rightly pointed out if Carlos chose to remain a Roman Catholic, it is entirely his choice.

As it stands, the multiple La Liga champion confirmed in a clip that he has NOT embraced Islam though he is making steps to study the religion more closely. He is deeply respectful towards his new spouse’s religious practices but quite clearly denies converting.

The lesson here is always verify first before spreading the “good news”. Also, be mindful that such “news” may NOT be viewed positively by all and sundry. Again, if the tables were turned, how would Muslims feel?

In the meantime, it is perhaps enough that we celebrate the player for his extraordinary feats on the field rather than poking our collective noses into his matrimonial affairs and religious status.

I would think “World Cup Winner” would suffice as a description.  

 

Ronaldo Cafu
Subang Jaya, Selangor

Editor’s Note: Remember the brouhaha if Uncle Roger had converted to Islam after the Malaysian culinary YouTuber was reported to have tied the knot with Miami-born lawyer of Bangladeshi Arab descent Sabrina Ahmed in a lavish wedding in Portugal last September?

 - Focus Malaysia