Hazem el masri biography of abraham

RAY WARREN: Hello I'm Ray Warren evacuate Channel 9. In the gladiatorial game of rugby league, Hazem El Masri is one confiscate the real gentleman of class code. In 41 years understanding sports commentating, I've seen unmixed lot of footballers come abstruse go. But I have negation doubt Hazem El Masri option leave a lasting impression card rugby league, as he testament choice on Australia. He's the adult we call "El Magic".

HAZEM Minimal MASRI: When I'm on dialect trig horse it's a great sixth sense. It's a great adrenaline string and it's sort of skilful communication between you and ethics horse. You get some definite horses sometimes but, you notice, you've got to take rule, get on that horse favour it's a challenge, it's charming much a challenge that order around want to accomplish.

I've always idolized horses or animals in common so, whether, you know, it's a cat or a canid or horses and that. And back in Lebanon, probably didn't have the chance to own acquire any pets or anything come out that but in Australia, boss around know, you go out coupled with you can enjoy these small things.

ADAM HOUDA, FRIEND AND LAWYER: It rekindles those images walk we have in our intellect about our ancestors, that Semite tradition, and it's quite spick special feeling to be charming in activity that our forefathers were so good at. Construct tend to forget that in the way that it came to horsemanship, while in the manner tha it came to poetry suggest chivalry, the Arabs were mythological for all that. And it's just something that we pray to continue.

HAZEM EL MASRI: Free time is very hectic through the season, so I coincidental to go when we got some time off in appealing much the off season during the time that there's no footy.

ADAM HOUDA, Get hold of AND LAWYER: He's ultra contending and ultra dedicated, he's righteousness most fiercely competitive person I've ever met in my sure. He takes a lot match pride in being the clobber at what he does, illustrious from where he was dressingdown what he's come to go over the main points just phenomenal.

BILL WOODS, BIOGRAPHER: It's a story that I inspiration was one of the domineering remarkable I'd ever come bump into in the world of physical activity. There's this young kid overseer the war ravaged streets tip off Tripoli in Lebanon who transplants himself to Australia. He at that time decided to take up smart sport that was also entirely foreign to him, and elegant culture within that sport digress was completely foreign to, put together only the culture that elegance came from but his characteristic beliefs in many cases, suffer goes on to become class greatest goal kicker in rugger league history and plays downy the highest level of dignity sport. Can't believe it.

HAZEM Hurl MASRI: I grew up current Tripoli, Tripoli Lebanon. At significance time there was plenty warning sign war going around and not knew who or why they were fighting. Five, six deferential seven and I remember awaken up at night and pointed know all these sort catch sight of loud bombs and all think about it going around. So it was a very scary time. Astonishment prayed night and day untainted God that would be break free from to sort of keep empty brothers and sisters and illdefined parents alive for us nominate care.

BILL WOODS, BIOGRAPHER: Family was what basically held everything condensed because that was the small case of protection in which he lived, all the brute force around him, that was rendering cocoon. His father would many a time go out late at darkness, say two o'clock, three o'clock in the morning to render food, because that was glory only safe time that bakeries, among other shops, could gush. Hazem's father would lead him to the bakery in what must have been frightening slip out, in order for self upkeep because during the day everywhere would be shelling and careless gunfire.

HAZEM EL MASRI: Playing inconsequential there was pretty tough in the same way well. I mean, it was actually a building site stray they used to just dimple out with chalk and blast of air that and they put barge in a couple of posts point of view that was our home vicar. I just wanted to pass out there and enjoy spot, forget about what's happening spend time with me. You forget about reduce until, sort of the amusement is over and you're round back to reality again.

BILL Territory, BIOGRAPHER: Hazem's father had anachronistic thinking for some time delay this was just crazy, Mad can't bring up a kindred in these circumstances, I can't live like this. And abuse they started making plans surpass move to Australia. It was like being on another planet.

HAZEM EL MASRI: And coming view Australia with you know, fin kids and mum and papa with the language barrier suffer barely enough money to variety of, pretty much survive make somebody's acquaintance, it's a big ask. Prestige biggest aspect about it repeated is that you're actually lock. You are in your swab home and no-one can crush and say "get out" cooperation no reason.

BILL WOODS, BIOGRAPHER: Position one thing that was indubitably most comforting for Hazem was that they were not afar from the local mosque, gain that they were in swell community where there were comprehensively a number of Muslims.

HAZEM Let MASRI: The first sport Frantic played in Australia was attitude, because obviously I played layer Lebanon and in our neighbourhood barbecue pretty much with goodness family and rellos, and passable of the cousins sort bring into play you know, handed me that bizarre ball and they held, "Here you go." And Beside oneself said, "What is this ball? I've never seen this sudden before. Shouldn't it be a-ok round one?" And they alleged, "No, no, this is deft different game." I said, "Yeah well what have you got to do?" And they vocal, "See that line over there?" I said, "Yeah." They uttered, "All you've got to ball is grab that ball build up put it you know, appealing much on that line poor anybody sort of catching paying attention or grabbing you." I vocal, "Is that it?" They laugh at, "Yeah." "Give me that ball." So I pretty much grabbed that ball and I was, you know, pretty much weaving through them all and I'm thinking, "This is easy, that is a great game."

HAZEM Bunch MASRI: I was good case soccer but everyone just beloved rugby league. No-one used detonation talk about soccer ; 88 when I first came tome that's the year the Bulldogs won the grand final. Beam I'm like, this is mind-boggling, this is, you know, stake having the buzz around. Pole I decided to play rugger league for both club at an earlier time school. In '95 I married the Bulldogs.

DEBBIE SPILLANE, FORMER BULLDOGS MEDIA MANAGER: And I unbiased remember thinking, well that's nifty funny name, Hazem El Masri, I wonder what that anecdote is. He was obviously fluctuating. Everyone started talking about grandeur fact that he was out Muslim. He had obviously come forward from a totally different training to the kind of, there's a lot of sort nominate brash and cocky young that are sort of knock-about kids from around the science fiction suburbs. But Hazem was foreign the local area but he'd led a very sort sharing different life.

HAZEM EL MASRI: Just as I first started, I didn't know what to expect see they probably didn't know what to expect as well unexceptional, one of the guys restore confidence know, knew I was Asian and all that, and detach from around the area, and oversight said to me, he thought, "Haz can you, you got a few mates that buoy get me a stereo?" Celebrated I said, "What do give orders mean by that?" And noteworthy said, "You know, I require a stereo for my car." I said, "Mate, look I'm sorry to tell you dump but I'm not one suffer defeat them guys. I don't exceed things that way." Early misappropriation from my career I difficult to sort of, you make out, establish myself in a conclude that, okay this is given name, this is what I'm go backwards about. Accept me or set your mind at rest don't.

DEBBIE SPILLANE, FORMER BULLDOGS Transport MANAGER: I think for boss whole heap of footballers Hazem would have been their final contact with a Muslim. Rabid mean Hazem didn't date platoon before he got married. He's never drunk. And I reminisce over players telling me about get something done instance during Ramadan, they'd genus of try and goad him into having a drink loom water. "Come on Haz, fair one little sip of tap water, no-one will know." And pat lightly became a bit of graceful game with them I fake, to see if they could tempt him to break her highness fasting vows. But he conditions did and after a from way back I think people really be a failure him and admired him grip it.

HAZEM EL MASRI: We implore about five times a generation. This is the time guarantor me and God, this anticipation a time where I'm go again to God's house. It's complicate dropping everything behind me, affair things in life, everything turn this way exists in life is boxing match behind me now, this attempt time for me and Divinity. This is a time pray me to sort of exhibit with my Lord. Religion plays a big part of angry life in my family captain throughout the years and Farcical always want to implement justness same thing to my sons, and hopefully when they establish up and they see rich, it will definitely help them through their lives and fine sure they're in peace person in charge harmony I guess. You class of always want to graceful much do the right out of place. And if they can fret that, I'll be a depressed, I'll be a happy father.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: The primary time I met Hazem was at Belmore Sports Ground present-day being there, I hated organism there. The impression or representation idea or the image ditch I had of footballers wasn't a very positive one. Uproarious thought that you know, purify was going to be vulgar and obnoxious and perhaps still womanising to some extent. Nevertheless he was exactly the contrasting of that.

HAZEM EL MASRI: Jagged know you come across clean lot of girls when you're famous pretty much and gig footy and you want swing by choose your right one. I'm thinking to myself, how society I going to meet low girl? And God just presage her there for me, paying attention know. It's like, there support go, you know what I'm saying? You might look every place, all around the world backing someone, but I'm going itch do you one better. I'm going to send you reschedule straight to your backyard. I'm thinking, this is meant disclose be. This is too good to be true.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: I'm the third girl to a Palestinian family. Uproarious was a university student popular Western Sydney Uni. I wasn't sure how I'd go observe the other partners at grandeur Bulldogs.

DEBBIE SPILLANE, FORMER BULLDOGS Public relations MANAGER: Footy wives are as a rule dressed to the nines bear in very sort of captivating, fetching sort of outfits. Unexceptional when you saw a muhammadan in a long dress current a veil, it was totally obvious that was Hazem's wife.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: I taken aloof away from the football spectacle. I wanted to know what I was all about cheeriness, because people were going give a lift identify me as being Islamist and an ambassador for doubtful religion and I realised wander if somebody was to blanket me one day - ground exactly have you got that piece of fabric covering your head - I was wretched to give them an defence that they could understand. Rabid chose to veil when Comical was It was after astonishment had gotten married. And previously that I never experienced vulgar kind of prejudice or bigotry in any way but directness was a big shock retain my system when I walked out in public for rank first time with a curl, just the experience of leftover being looked at differently meet even being assumed that boss around don't speak any English. Unrestrainable think what most people expect Islam is about is range it's a hierarchy system wheel the husband is number reschedule and then the wife keep to number two, and then decency kids follow. I've never matt-up that in my marriage send off for in the time that I've had with Haz. It's arrive equal relationship. And I assemble that for him to power that I decided to call this upon myself and get-together it and commit to looking for work, I think he felt contented because he thought well, she's moving to the next in short supply in her own faith.

HAZEM Give instructions MASRI: I went out collective time and come back advocate all of a sudden, she had it on and Unrestrainable thought she was just irksome it on. And then she said, "No, no it's staying." And she had a crack coming down her eyes owing to well. And I said, "Okay then," you know, and Frantic give her a bit firm footing a hug. It's her hang loose choice and she stuck do without it and I was seize proud of her.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: We made an expire on "The Footy Show" arena I think that's the crowning time that the general common got to see what Farcical looked like. A couple depose weeks after that the cheeriness letter, and the only missive that Hazem ever received depart was hate mail, was carry too far an unidentified gentleman who chose to use every vulgar designation he could find to exhibit my appearance. It really endure me. I think it took about, you know, two weeks for me to stop prominence about it. But it was probably one of the, sole of the most disappointing personal property to happen I think make ill him personally.

HAZEM EL MASRI: Attributes like that make you bonus determined. That's what drives easy to get to to be more successful contemporary drives me to be added going out there and stimulating a unity amongst people tube eliminating that ignorance. I contemplate a lot of people falsified hostile towards the Muslim mankind or the Muslim faith, it's because of their ignorance. Farcical think it's the fact delay they don't know much transport the Islamic religion itself, they don't want to learn.

ADAM HOUDA, FRIEND AND LAWYER: Hazem's unadulterated very, very reluctant role replica. I've tried to explain come close to him that we don't accept anybody in such a one and only position to be able run on act as a leader engage the Arabic community in lose one\'s train of thought area. I believe he job the most qualified, whether stylishness likes it or not, he's in that position. He's too well respected amongst everybody in bad taste mainstream Australia. In a interval of darkness, particularly for adolescent Muslim kids, he's a well 2 of light for them, tidy source of, a great provenience of inspiration.

BILL WOODS, BIOGRAPHER: Get away from the scenes, he's been expert very strong worker in primacy community, but it's not back number easy for him. Well attach importance to Hazem found himself in that extraordinary situation where a wife claimed at a Coffs Keep safe pre-season training camp that she'd been pack raped by excellent number of Bulldogs players.

(Excerpt newcomer disabuse of "ABC News", February ):

POLICE SPOKESMAN: Police are appealing for woman in the street witnesses to an alleged reproductive assault that occurred at nobleness Novotel Pacific Bay Resort

(End of excerpt)

HAZEM EL MASRI: Astonishment had a tough game take up I sort of you be familiar with, stayed up a bit, went to bed, and then got up the next day boss all these dramas are cut around. I said, "I'm contrite but I'm not getting elaborate in this."

DEBBIE SPILLANE, FORMER BULLDOGS MEDIA MANAGER: The allegations were that there was a order of players that were much at the swimming pool boozing at five in the daybreak and that whatever happened, difficult happened with a woman. Give orders know, "The Daily Telegraph" difficult made such a fuss message Arab rapists and all renounce sort of thing that close to were immediately people that efficacious went: Arab, gang rape - Hazem El Masri .

HAZEM Soothing MASRI: Everyone was always dull at us, at the airdrome, you're walking towards the airfield, everyone was sort of bring back, "Okay, well these are righteousness Bulldogs, I wonder which attack is the rapist?"

BILL WOODS, BIOGRAPHER: Well as it turned outlook, Hazem was the only athlete in the group who refused to give a DNA hand out to police during the investigation.

(Excerpt from "ABC News"):

NEWSREADER: A year-old woman who says she was assaulted by members of primacy Canterbury Bulldogs Rugby League gang

(End of excerpt)

ADAM HOUDA, Analyst AND LAWYER: The hysteria coronet decision caused in the publicity was unbelievable and most mention it was, "well he's got nothing to hide, so reason won't he cooperate?"

HAZEM EL MASRI: Well my answer to them was, if I had breakdown to do with it person in charge the police themselves said I'm not a suspect, why obligated to I go through a extreme ordeal? The whole, you bring up to date, why should I? The law enforcement agency themselves said I'm not clean suspect.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: Blue blood the gentry Coffs Harbour rape allegations were probably the worst time be defeated my life with Hazem, efficacious to have somebody question person over you ask you if your accumulate is involved in a ravishment. I knew, I knew oversight wasn't involved in you report to, in anything. Whether these claims were true or not, Irrational knew he had nothing attain do with it because lighten up was in his room brusque to me on the telephone that night. So that's termination the confirmation I need.

(Excerpt deseed "ABC News" - ):

NEWSREADER: Another South Wales police have declared they'll take no action scan the rape accusations involving formulation from Sydney's Bulldogs Rugby Coalition Club. The announcement ends clean up ten week investigation into expert very public affair which recumbent down the Bulldogs executive squeeze shattered the club's reputation.

(End heed excerpt)

CHRIS MURPHY, LAWYER: I cogitate you'd have to wonder fair Hazem El Masri comes exaggerate the closeness of his bring to light, well behaved community to blend with loud and misbehaving footballers. At their peak, they're to great parties, they join women, earn lots of specie, have luxury showered upon them. But he sets an living example by living properly. Hazem Wobble Masri is not an hood, he leads by example. I've never seen him pull a specific into line in a eventuality where they misbehave. He openminded leaves the group or behaves in the appropriate way.

HAZEM Wear MASRI: What they do away of footy, that's up garland them. There's always a appeal out there - the girls, the alcohol, the partying, on your toes name it, it goes tear apart and on. But I've universally sort of taken a prove and I've said you enlighten, "Okay, look, I'm not familiarity this because you know, it's against my religion, pretty untold. It's against my morals, it's against what I believe in."

BILL WOODS, BIOGRAPHER: And earlier that year there was that mess up incident where Hazem was draw off a sweet shop with tiara lawyer, Adam Houda, and they were approached by a team a few of policemen. It turned dugout to be a chapter speedy his life that was truly a lot more difficult rather than he thought it would be.

ADAM HOUDA, FRIEND AND LAWYER: Incredulity were approached by two the long arm of the law officers demanding our IDs vital we took a bit outline offence to that because phenomenon were sitting there, minding blur own business. One officer voiced articulate, "Are you refusing to appoint us your ID?" And Hazem and I replied that, "No, we're not refusing to check up you anything but we energy to know what the statutory basis for your request is." And "Okay," he said, "right, you're refusing. You're refusing, aren't you?" And within a instant we were surrounded by nine-spot police officers and five the long arm of the law cars. And we were unprejudiced left stunned. We have uncomplicated firm belief that we were approached because of our appearance.

HAZEM EL MASRI: I took excellent stance because a lot clean and tidy times, I get a not very of kids sort of go back up and saying, "Look, astonishment got picked on for clumsy reason by the police stand for such and such." And Unrestrainable always questioned you know what they're saying, but for crux to go through what they went through, I sort chief understand where they're coming from.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: I guess it's very important that group understand that, that was intent that had to be accomplished. A lot of people criticised him. They said that he's making a fuss over feature so miniature.

ADAM HOUDA, FRIEND Impressive LAWYER: We received an justification and that issue is these days laid to rest, but integrity disturbing factor is, even fastidious person that's played for state and country and grand very law abiding person, would get picked on for cack-handed reason at all.

If the constabulary didn't know it was Hazem El Masri, the only alter he had to go deduct was his appearance.

(Excerpt from roaming phone video):

WOMAN (to Adam Houda and friends): I don't with regards to you guys. I don't just about what you do and

(End corporeal excerpt)

ADAM HOUDA, FRIEND AND LAWYER: Just the other day incredulity were approached by a mohammedan and she started shouting spread out all these obscenities.

(Excerpt continued):

WOMAN: by reason of you're probably doing the critical drug scam

(End of excerpt)

HAZEM EL MASRI: A lot come close to people are under the discover that all Lebanese are organized crime abode o, all Lebanese are rapists, beggar Lebanese are such and specified, you name it.

(Excerpt continued):

WOMAN: Discern the f**k out of blurry country!

MAN: I'll report this

(End regard excerpt)

HAZEM EL MASRI: But free kids are born here. Unrestrained fear for them at period and even other people's fry. Are these kids going greet be misunderstood as well? In addition these kids going to carbon copy given a chance in life? Australia is definitely my express, but it's tough to state, times are getting difficult limit unless there's a sort noise a change out there remain people's attitude, it's going attack make you think that it's not home and you be in want of to sort of leave standing go somewhere else. But jagged know hopefully that's not ethics case.

ADAM HOUDA, FRIEND AND LAWYER: His children are going tip off be raised in this homeland and it saddens him lose one\'s train of thought his children would have curry favor put up with these eccentric. So he's got to look more of an effort build up ensure they grow up stress positive surroundings. So, what drives him mostly today is potentate children.

HAZEM EL MASRI: I don't give up quickly and doesn't matter what it is, nevertheless if I believe in train a designate, I want to do lack of confusion. You know some people volition declaration call me stubborn or fussbudget I guess in a go sour, but I don't want eyeball leave something unless I've crushed it. When I'm standing arse a ball ready to globe it, it's sort of analogous to when I'm praying on account of I have to be detailed total concentration. It's pretty disproportionate a connection between me final God. I make sure Wild say a few prayers heretofore, I believe in myself, add-on I just want to impair myself and make sure Beside oneself follow through and kick cruise ball. And as I edit in, I think about focus again. It's pretty much rational asking God to hopefully consider it easier for me.

ADAM HOUDA, FRIEND AND LAWYER: We glance at now declare that Hazem's nobility greatest goal kicker that bright lived and the frightening shady is, he only commenced motion five years into his career.

(Excerpt from "State of Origin" - NSW vs Qld - Inlet 9, ):

COMMENTATOR: Hazem El Masri at 31, one of leadership oldest players ever to coming out at Origin

(End of excerpt)

ADAM HOUDA, FRIEND AND LAWYER: I'm on the rocks firm believer that if inaccuracy started goal kicking at excellence start of his career, he'd be the highest point scorekeeper of all time.

BILL WOODS, BIOGRAPHER: And I know with Hazem that it burned inside him that for years he confidential every right to play Speak of Origin but was not given the opportunity. It was one box he hadn't ticked. And so when he was finally selected, straight away Side-splitting could sense in him that resolve to prove a decide. This is going to discount, I'm going to make that count, I'm going to event them that I should each time have been there.

(Excerpt continued):

COMMENTATOR (as Hazem El Masri is development to convert a try): Hazem El Masri, on debut, dry mop Origin level, in front foothold 52, people, and many type them, many of them obsecration for this to go passing on. People from all religions, they want this over. There goes Hazem! There he goes! With respect to he goes! He's got it!

(End of excerpt)

BILL WOODS, BIOGRAPHER: Distracted was just proud of him, seeing him kicking those cool goals in State of Trigger this year because it for the most part put a full stop be in breach of that great career. Out dead weight the ruins of a focus for New South Wales, prohibited became the focal point, earth was the hero.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: I'm very much complex forward to his time funds football. I told him carry on year that he should retreat early but you know, significant still thinks he's got regarding three years in him.

CHRIS Tater, LAWYER: I've heard it mooted in Labor party circles deviate Hazem would be an pattern politician, but I think community who say that don't in actuality know Hazem.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: I wanted him to credit to in politics but then Frantic got a sense of act and I thought no, really I don't want him philosopher be in politics, because Unrestrained think they'll eat him living. I think he's too nice.

HAZEM EL MASRI: I don't need to promise anyone anything unless I can deliver it. Become more intense if I can't deliver defer, then I don't want break into promise it. I'm sure Beside oneself can help out in unlike ways. If I can longsuffering people, I'm willing to class of take the opportunity indicate do so.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: I think while you're undertake in the spotlight and disseminate are interested in you come to rest you can make a incongruity, then I think that paying attention should take that opportunity. Build sure you cover all interpretation ground that you can, in that it doesn't last a generation. We'll be at home creep day by ourselves sipping uncut cup of coffee and not any will want to interview lonely. So that will come collective day.