New Delhi: England all-rounder Moeen Ali says cricket is “nowhere near as important” to him as his Islamic faith.
Speaking to the BBC, the 29-year-old admits that cricket is important but Islam is more important to him and that he could even give up his cricket career for Islam.
Moeen says his religion is “the only thing that can give him happiness” and it would be “easy” to give up cricket if he had to.
“The most important thing of everything, it is something that, I feel like it makes me feel free and the one I wanted to be all my life. As a youngster, I was far from it. When I was about 18-19, I decided that this is the way I want to live my life. It is the only thing that can give me happiness. Cricket is important but nowhere near as important as Islam, if I have to give up cricket tomorrow, it will be easy” said the southpaw on being asked important his faith is towards Islam.
Getting abuse because of his religion is “a part of life”, says Moeen.
” At the back of my mind there is a responsibility that I am representing Islam, Muslims and British Asians. It is a positive thing. As long as I perform, which is the most the most important thing and I can behave.”