At times, small and simple actions can make a huge impact. Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, known for his vast experience of the game and professionalism, decided to blow the whistle five minutes into extra time, not for a foul, but to give respect to the Islamic call of prayer, the adhan.
https://www.facebook.com/MuslimCouncilHK/videos/1946253088973358/
The remarkable scene happened during a match between Al Faiha and Al Fateh as he heard the adhan being called out from the mosques nearby.
Indeed, it was a beautiful adhan being called by Shaykh Hamd al Daghreeree.
It was during the Saudi King’s Cup round of 16, and with the two teams going into extra time at 1-1 and undoubtedly in a world which is drunk upon entertainment, such a sight is refreshing and thus many went on Twitter to praise the referee for his actions.
@clattenburg1975 Mr. Mark, today you proved to the world one of the most beautiful goals of sports (love, co-existence and peace) and that's when non-Muslim referee stopped the match of respect of prayer calling
Thank you and with the best wishes you more success— Kamal Khalifa (@kamalkhalifa) January 24, 2018
👏🏻 Huge respect to Mark Clattenburg after he stopped a Saudi Arabian Cup game in the 95th minute when a call for prayer came over the speaker…https://t.co/Ne2dUK5hhM
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) January 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/tezilyas/status/956308799207493634
@clattenburg1975 @Turki_alalshikh
Today you made our day Mr. Mark, The humanity which you owned amazed most of the Saudis. Thanks so much Your humanism. ❤️❤️— حاكم هبيش (@Hakem_SA) January 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/Abo_Ali_Khalaf/status/956199508903383040
https://twitter.com/saudj99/status/956240584808812544
Well done Mark @clattenburg1975 Massive respect for stopping the game out of respect for the call to prayer https://t.co/uLPrbkVkmI
— AbdiUTD (@ab_haji20) January 24, 2018
May Allah bless the referee with guidance to Islam and allow us all to stop everything when we hear the adhan being called out.