EXCLUSIVE: Muslim MLS stars open up on fasting and playing during Ramadan | OneFootball

As we enter the final week of Ramadan, a holy time in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, MLS has shone the spotlight on their admirable Muslim players.

During the holy period, Muslims fast during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset), perform extended prayers, increase their charitable efforts and bring about introspection.

That, of course, means top-level Muslim athletes go through their regular training and matchday regiments while adhering to the fasting period.

In 2023, Major League Soccer instituted the opportunity for players, coaches, and match officials to break their fasts during Ramadan by pausing play.

If an on-field match official (referee or assistant referee) and/or a starting player will be breaking their fast, a ‘drinks break’ will be implemented following sundown.

While MLS has an extensive list of players observing Ramadan, we spoke to Nashville SC's Hany Mukhtar, and the Columbus Crew's Mo Farsi about their experience observing Ramadan during the season.

“For us Muslims it is a very special month," former league MVP Mukhtar said. "A lot of people just concentrate on the fact that it is no food and no water, but for us it is more than that.

“You fuel your body for 11 months, and you eat whatever you want and at whatever time you want. But now it is a month where you have to discipline yourself. You are giving fuel to your heart.

📸 Photo Credit: © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

“Is it difficult to play during this month? Of course, but it is a time when you can get energy from a different [place]."

Meanwhile, Columbus Crew wide-man Mo Farsi recognizes the drastic change to a footballer's daily routine.

"It is different for sure," Farsi said. "Like certain things, you have to wake up at night to eat, so it is not a full night of sleep.

"Normally as a Muslim you wake up in the morning and pray, but now because you have to eat you stay up for longer, but I am used to it."

📸 Photo Credit: © Chadd Cady-Imagn Images

Not only has MLS as a league made major changes to assist in the experience for its Muslim players, but the clubs themselves play a major role in helping the athletes through the change in daily routines.

Club doctors, dieticians and training staff have had to make major adaptations themselves, as their routines change along with the players.

"We have somebody who is responsible for nutrition in our club, and she is wonderful," Mukhtar explained.

“She came up to me recently and told me ‘fasting is actually so good for you, and there are studies that show there is no influence on your performance on the field while you are fasting’.

“Even if it would, I wouldn't care. It gives me a different energy, and even more power.”

For Mo Farsi, his experience with the Columbus Crew staff has been similarly positive as he continues to play and train through the holy period.

"Here they help me a lot with certain details. Whether it has been the coach who helps me with certain things, or the dieticians, it has been great."

While the outside world looks on in admiration of Muslim athletes during the 'month of patience', the players themselves continue to find renewed strength from tradition.

“Being with my family, there’s nothing better than coming together at night. We all eat, we all sit at the table," says Mukhtar.

"Our world [in the football world] is busy and very fast-paced and often you don’t get to do things like sitting all together.

"Family time is always special, and this month forces you to do it."

📸 Photo Credit: © Kyle Ross-Imagn Images