February 2007
The Leeds Rhinos vs. Catalans Dragons fixture at Headingley Carnegie was one that I looked particularly forward to as I would meet with the French side’s winger Younes Khattabi, whom I have kept in contact with since last seasons
Challenge Cup Final in 2007. We instantly began a good relationship as we are both Muslims making us a minority in the sport, because there are only a handful of rugby
league players, supporters or reporters who follow the religion of Islam.
Having arrived at the stadium early in anticipation of speaking to him, I bumped into Leeds Rhinos Manager Brian McClennan who told me that the teams had yet to turn up and so had to hang around, sheltering myself from the pouring rain.
Eventually, the teams did come but had to ask Catalans’ Prop Mathieu Griffi to send for Younes. He emerged from the tunnel, embraced me with a smile and a hug and we sat down in the dugout.
He kindly asked how me and my family were and was extremely excited at the prospect of becoming a father for the first time.
Unfortunately for him, he told me that he hadn’t been selected for the game and so would be the 18th man, being the water boy for the players. Asked if he felt upset by being left out, he replied by saying, “Not at all. I just want the team to do well.”
Younes returned to the changing room with his team mates as they prepared for the difficult match against the reigning champions.
The contest didn’t quite go to planned for the French outfit as they were convincingly beaten 34-6 by a strong Leeds Rhinos side, who were warming up for the World Club Challenge at Elland Road against Melbourne Storm.
Despite taking a shock lead, the Catalans were overwhelmed by their counterparts who maintained their 100% winning start to the season.
Afterwards, I met up with Younes who was understandably disappointed by the result. He invited me back to the team hotel for a further chat.
I got there late on the Friday night and he welcomed me up to his room, going past the hotel restaurant where some of the team were having their post match meal after their difficult encounter.
The twin room wasn’t the tidiest I had ever seen but in and amongst it all, my eye caught a prayer mat that was lying on the chair. Being a devout Muslim, he reads his five daily prayers and was particularly keen to stress the close bond between
the players.
When he needs to pray, team and roommate Sebastien Raguin respects this and turns the TV/music off in order for Younes to complete his prayers. Even in a day and age where we all know the connotations that are attributed to Muslims, religion is of the utmost importanceto him.
He follows the teaching of his faith very closely as he doesn’t drink or go clubbing so whilst the rest of the team get ready for a night out, he stays in to watch TV and have an early night.
Younes has also been for the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia with his family.
I asked him about his family and the winger stated that his father said to him, “I don’t like rugby.”
Younes and his three brothers all ended up playing the sport and his younger brother Ismail is in the Catalans Dragons youth set up, hoping to make a breakthrough into the main team soon.
However, as well as the happiness of a son being the first Muslim player to score a try at the new Wembley, the family have had to cope with the tragedy of losing one of their loved ones as Yasin Khattabi, brother of Younes, suddenly
passed away after a French Rugby League match.
Younes says that it was a difficult period in his life and he remembers his brother every time he steps onto a rugby pitch.
Younes Khattabi hopes to help the Catalans Dragons win as many games as possible and
improve from last season, maybe even making another appearance in the cup final. His proudest moments to date include the trying scoring Challenge Cup Final appearance and playing against one of the most distinguished Muslim players to ever step onto a rugby pitch, Hazem El-Masri.
Despite the commitment that the players show on the field; the hard tackling, the breaks, bumps and bruises, they are all humble and down to earth off the field and take time out to speak to people. We hope to see the production of more Muslim gentlemen in the mould of Younes Khattabi, someone who is a credit to the fantastic
game of rugby league.
Shamoon Hafez
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