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Photos: British boxer Anthony Joshua 'abused' online for praying in Dubai mosque
The celebrated boxer was in UAE for a break with his friends.
A British boxer has come under fire after posting a picture of him praying in a mosque in Dubai.
Star boxer and Olympic champion Anthony Joshua has been hit by shocking anti-Muslim abuse online, after he posted a picture of him praying with two friends in a Dubai mosque. 'Disappointed' netizens on Twitter trolled the boxer saying that they won't support him anymore
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Joshua is of Nigerian descent and not understood to be a practising Muslim but was experiencing the culture with friends who are, The Metro reported.
He tweeted this to his 800,000 followers, along with an emoji showing hands clasped in prayer:
'Besides luck, hard work & talent.. Prayer is a solid foundation. It was nice to join my brother as he led through afternoon prayer (asr)'
He also shared the photo to almost two million followers on Instagram.
'Disappointed, won't be watching you again', one troll posted.
Some people said they had been fans but would now be 'praying for his opponents'.
'Hope Klitchko batters you now tbh,' one man wrote, referring to his upcoming fight against Wladimir Klitschko.
Some of the responses to Anthony Joshua praying in a Mosque. Sometimes I'm ashamed to be White & English. We're not all like this... pic.twitter.com/vVqfMJTe89 - ! (@kylerowland90) January 17, 2017
Then there were those questioning his choice to wear sunglasses in the mosque, and looking upwards instead of at the floor, implying that he wasn't focused enough during his prayer.
Is he really respecting the religion when he wearing sunglasses in a mosque while supposedly praying ?? - Anuoluwapo (@OhAdaraa) January 12, 2017
On the other hand, Joshua also received support from many netizens, wishing him all the best:
It's crazy the amount of hate there is under this tweet. May Allah guide them and guide @anthonyfjoshua https://t.co/Pr93QkfKGJ - ??? ???? (@BirdsOfJannah) January 17, 2017
The backlash Anthony Joshua is receiving is disgusing. Goes to show England still has an underbelly of hatred, bigotry and Islamophobia. - ???? (@1Mvk_) January 17, 2017
@RightWingerRoy @anthonyfjoshua I'm sorry Anthony for ppl with abusive comments - I support u no matter what religion - you are a true champ - Alfie Quadir (@AlfieQuadir) January 17, 2017
If your opinion of @anthonyfjoshua has changed, assuming that he has indeed become a Muslim, then that says more about you than him. - Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) January 17, 2017
People are unfollowing @anthonyfjoshua JUST because he posted a pic in a mosque this angers me so much!How does this effect how he fights !? - Jasmin Walia (@jasminwalia) January 17, 2017
So #AnthonyJoshua prays in a mosque & suddenly people turn against him & show their racist & prejudice selves. He don't need fans like you - Casso Blax (@CassoBlax) January 17, 2017
Some even reminded ignorant trolls about the Greatest Of All Time being a Muslim - Muhammad Ali:
@anthonyfjoshua to all the people hating. Muhammad Ali was a Muslim and the greatest of all time, do you guys hate him as well?? - Naz (@n42imrashid) January 17, 2017
It is noteworthy that Joshua is an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), who won gold at the 2012 Olympics.
The boxer arrived in Dubai nearly three weeks back for a break with a few friends.
Arrived In The City Of Life #Mydubai #Visitdubai ??
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on Dec 27, 2016 at 10:50am PST
Joshua is scheduled to fight Klitchko in April this year:
The team & I would hate for anyone to miss it.. ? 12PM today tickets go on sale via @stubhubuk #AJBoxing (link in bio)
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on Dec 20, 2016 at 3:51am PST
Based on the people tagged in his pictures, the 'squad' included Leon Skinner (owner of a UK-based social events management company The Hangout), Jcelite (a tennis athlete) and 'Healthy_Mindset' - a Muslim personal trainer who can be seen leading the prayer in the now viral picture.
Besides luck, hard work & talent.. Prayer is a solid foundation. It was nice to join my brother @healthy_mindset as he led through afternoon prayer (asr) ????
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on Jan 17, 2017 at 2:42am PST
Here are some snaps from his Dubai trip:
Perfect family feast??
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on Dec 29, 2016 at 2:37am PST
Going ??! About to go for a sunset cruise #mydubai #visitdubai ?
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on Dec 30, 2016 at 10:38am PST
Brits In Dubai ????
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on Jan 7, 2017 at 8:39am PST
When in the land of Arabia, dress as the Arabs do:
?Culture ????#StayHumble
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on Jan 3, 2017 at 2:23pm PST
Boys having some fun in the desert:
Desert dune riders ??@altamayouz_rental ??
A video posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on Jan 10, 2017 at 3:47am PST
In Abu Dhabi:
Think it's time for a spin! ????
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on Jan 11, 2017 at 7:27am PST
Adrenaline Junky ????
A video posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on Jan 13, 2017 at 1:59pm PST
Seems like the boxer is completely unfazed about the backlash, as he enjoyed some apple pie and ice cream according to this last post:
Can't beat apple pie & ice cream ????
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on Jan 17, 2017 at 12:45pm PST
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