Blake Ferguson converts to Islam under the guidance of "his brother" Anthony Mundine
Phil Rothfield
November 9, 2013
TROUBLED rugby league star Blake Ferguson has been converted to Islam by controversial boxer Anthony Mundine.
The NRL bad boy made the commitment to his new Islamic faith at Zetland Mosque on Friday, hoping it can help to save his ailing career.
The State of Origin star was photographed praying beside Mundine, who also converted rugby league superstar Sonny Bill Williams to the Muslim faith five years ago when Williams was going through a difficult period in his life.
Ferguson declined to comment yesterday, saying: "It's private. I can't talk about it, I'm sorry."
Ferguson has previously vowed to give up alcohol - as required by the Muslim faith - but failed.
Mundine revealed that the sacked and now unemployed Canberra Raiders star had been asking him about converting for almost six weeks.
"He's thought about it and it's a commitment he wants to make," Mundine said. "But it's up to Blake to speak about it when he's ready.
"He's just looking forward to changing his direction in life. At the moment he's in good space - no drinking, no drugs, no parties.
"He's got the colour back in his face. He wants to be a better person but he'll still have his faults, like we all do."
Ferguson's rugby league career has been in limbo for several months after he was dumped by the Raiders over a number of off-field incidents.
He is facing charges of indecent assault on a woman at a Cronulla nightspot and was also caught speeding and driving while suspended before having his $400,000 NRL contract terminated.
" indecent assault on a woman at a Cronulla nightspot"
Well hey, he has certainly fulfilled at least one of the requirements for been a Pious Muslim in Australia at least
This was after he was disciplined the Raiders earlier in the season for drinking on a roof with team mate Josh Dugan.
The player, who was once earning $400,000-a-year, is living at Mundine's Hurstville home with the boxer and his mum.
Does that mean that Tony Mundine and his Wife ("the boxer and his mum" as opposed to the boxer and his parents) are no longer living together?
Anthony Mundine's Father is a Union / Labor Party / media portrayed "elder" of the Redfern Ghetto known as the Block, surely the Mundine's would want LIVE in what they help to create? Hurstville is a part of Sydney's "Occupied Territories" and a long way from Redfern a suburb Australians have been ordered to accept as a Traditional Aboriginal "suburb" "hunting ground" ? five minutes from the Sydney CBD
When Sonny Bill Williams' life went off the rails and he was battling alcohol-related incidents in 2008, Mundine intervened in a similar way.
He lent the Roosters grand final hero $700,000 ($700,000 to lend ? Strewth maybe thats why his cousin is trying to CONFISCATE Australians homes) for the legal costs of breaking his contract and paying out the Bulldogs - then persuaded him to take up the Muslim faith.
He is now a $1 million-a-year superstar in NRL and rugby union.
Bad boy Blake Ferguson converts to Islam in a bid to save his ailing career
Phil Rothfield
Sports Editor
TheSunday Telegraph
November 10,2013
ONE o'clock, Friday afternoon, Zetland mosque.
They're in bare feet as is the practice of this religion and gathering where they assemble every Friday afternoon to say their prayers and worship their god.
They stand and pray, then kneel and bow to Allah.
Blake Ferguson is wearing a shirt with the words "haters gonna hate" plastered across the front. The troubled rugby league star is here with his "brother" Anthony Mundine, the controversial boxer who also converted superstar Sonny Bill Williams to the Muslim faith five years ago.
Neither is keen to talk about this latest chapter in Ferguson's tumultuous life.
Asked if he had converted to Islam, the NSW State of Origin star declined to comment.
But another person at the mosque said Ferguson "had taken shahada" - an Arabic tradition and declaration of faith in the Muslim god.
Under the Islam beliefs, Ferguson cannot drink alcohol. He announced he was off the booze earlier in the year but didn't stick to it.
Mundine was also hesitant to talk when contacted later on Friday afternoon.
"It's up to Blake to speak about it when he's ready to," Mundine told The Sunday Telegraph.
For all his showmanship and madness, Mundine is a deeply religious person who genuinely cares for Ferguson and wants to help him realise his enormous potential in the NRL.
When Williams' life went off the rails and he was also battling alcohol-related incidents in 2008, Mundine intervened in a similar way.
Ferguson has had a troubled year in the NRL and is currently facing charges over the alleged indecent assault of a woman at a Cronulla nightspot.
He was also caught speeding and driving while suspended before being sacked by the Raiders.
He is now even estranged from his "pop", Rex Sutherland, who raised him with his wife in Wellington from age 13 after the Sutherlands' son Michael met and married Retta Ferguson, who had given birth to Blake a year earlier.
Ferguson moved in with them after the Department of Community Services deemed Retta unable to care for her child and demanded they take custody.
"They are my grandparents," Ferguson once said. "They're my family. They're everything."
He has no contact with his mother but recently saw his father on the day he was released from Goulburn jail.
Ferguson now lives at Mundine's home and they train together every day as the boxer prepares for the rescheduled fight with US legend Shane Mosley on November 27.
The NRL has yet to decide if Ferguson will be cleared to play next year, with his decision to convert to Islam unlikely to have any effect on their decision.
"We're still talking about his progress and keeping an eye on him," said the NRL's integrity boss and chief operating officer Jim Doyle.
"Our player welfare and education department have been talking to him and the integrity department will monitor his (upcoming) court case.
"He is no longer registered after being fired by the Raiders and at this stage no club has indicated they want to sign him.
"That's something we'd have to talk about if or when it happens.
"He's got a hell of a lot of talent and it would be a shame to see it go to waste."
Phil Rothfield
Sports Editor
TheSunday Telegraph
November 10,2013
ONE o'clock, Friday afternoon, Zetland mosque.
Brown Noseing the "God" of the Paedophile Slave Trading Mass Murdering Prophet mohammed
In walk two of the city's most recognisable sporting stars in T-shirts and long, baggy shorts.They're in bare feet as is the practice of this religion and gathering where they assemble every Friday afternoon to say their prayers and worship their god.
They stand and pray, then kneel and bow to Allah.
Blake Ferguson is wearing a shirt with the words "haters gonna hate" plastered across the front. The troubled rugby league star is here with his "brother" Anthony Mundine, the controversial boxer who also converted superstar Sonny Bill Williams to the Muslim faith five years ago.
Neither is keen to talk about this latest chapter in Ferguson's tumultuous life.
Asked if he had converted to Islam, the NSW State of Origin star declined to comment.
But another person at the mosque said Ferguson "had taken shahada" - an Arabic tradition and declaration of faith in the Muslim god.
Under the Islam beliefs, Ferguson cannot drink alcohol. He announced he was off the booze earlier in the year but didn't stick to it.
Mundine was also hesitant to talk when contacted later on Friday afternoon.
"It's up to Blake to speak about it when he's ready to," Mundine told The Sunday Telegraph.
For all his showmanship and madness, Mundine is a deeply religious person who genuinely cares for Ferguson and wants to help him realise his enormous potential in the NRL.
When Williams' life went off the rails and he was also battling alcohol-related incidents in 2008, Mundine intervened in a similar way.
Ferguson has had a troubled year in the NRL and is currently facing charges over the alleged indecent assault of a woman at a Cronulla nightspot.
He was also caught speeding and driving while suspended before being sacked by the Raiders.
He is now even estranged from his "pop", Rex Sutherland, who raised him with his wife in Wellington from age 13 after the Sutherlands' son Michael met and married Retta Ferguson, who had given birth to Blake a year earlier.
Ferguson moved in with them after the Department of Community Services deemed Retta unable to care for her child and demanded they take custody.
"They are my grandparents," Ferguson once said. "They're my family. They're everything."
He has no contact with his mother but recently saw his father on the day he was released from Goulburn jail.
Ferguson now lives at Mundine's home and they train together every day as the boxer prepares for the rescheduled fight with US legend Shane Mosley on November 27.
The NRL has yet to decide if Ferguson will be cleared to play next year, with his decision to convert to Islam unlikely to have any effect on their decision.
"We're still talking about his progress and keeping an eye on him," said the NRL's integrity boss and chief operating officer Jim Doyle.
"Our player welfare and education department have been talking to him and the integrity department will monitor his (upcoming) court case.
"He is no longer registered after being fired by the Raiders and at this stage no club has indicated they want to sign him.
"That's something we'd have to talk about if or when it happens.
"He's got a hell of a lot of talent and it would be a shame to see it go to waste."
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