Elham Asaad Buaras
Essendon’s Saad El-Hawli has faced online Islamophobic abuse following his debut in the Australian Football League (AFL) on March 27. The 23-year-old entered the game as a substitute and played a key role in Essendon’s 72-60 victory over Port Adelaide, helping the team secure its first win of the season.
El-Hawli, who was drafted in the 2024, had previously played for lower-tier clubs while working as a used car salesman. His performance on debut was widely praised, but his post-match interview drew criticism from some social media users after he expressed gratitude to his Muslim community and acknowledged the ongoing holy month of Ramadan.
During a live interview on Channel 7, El-Hawli thanked the Australian Islamic Centre and his supporters. “Shout-out to all the Muslims across the community and country,” he said. “I know it’s the blessed month of Ramadan. Thank you for all your support, to the community back at home, and to everyone who helped me along the journey—it’s been awesome.”
The comments sparked controversy online, with some users labelling his remarks as “woke” and “un-Australian,” while others posted Islamophobic messages. One user wrote, “We don’t want Islam forced down our bloody throats,” while another stated, “Women being degraded to wearing head coverings. Barbaric religion.” Another criticized the interview, posting, “Is this a footy interview or a Ramadan and Muslim community interview? Lose the politics before we lose our great game.”
However, many supporters defended El-Hawli, arguing that he was using his platform to inspire young athletes from underrepresented backgrounds. “One of the best moments of his life, and people are complaining? Let the guy enjoy it,” one fan wrote. Another added, “Bloke just lived his dream and took a moment to inspire young kids. The negativity says more about the critics than him.”
El-Hawli has spoken about the challenges of playing at the elite level while observing Ramadan, which requires fasting from sunrise to sunset. He described his training adjustments, including waking up at 5 a.m. to prepare a high-protein meal with eggs, toasties, and dates to sustain his energy levels. He also noted the physical strain of fasting, saying, “You feel depleted, a bit lethargic. I’m a sweater, so I probably lose about two litres of fluid in a main session.”
His family was present to celebrate his debut, joining him for a live interview after the game. His father, overcome with emotion, joked that he had lost his voice from excitement. His mother expressed full confidence in her son, saying she was never nervous about his performance.
Photo: Essendon’s Saad El-Hawli has faced online Islamophobic abuse following his debut in the AFL on March 27.(Credit: AFL)
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