Is Shaq Muslim? Find out all about Shaquille O’Neal’s religion

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2 years ago

Is NBA legend Shaq O’Neal really a Muslim? Know more about Shaq’s religion.

All the people in this world follow various religious beliefs. They also walk a different paths in life. While many people are religious, there are also many people who are atheists.

Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal attends an event. (Image: today.com)

The religious beliefs of sports personalities always pique interest among their fans and the general public. Fans are keenly interested to know if their favorite sportsperson has the same religious views as them. Fan liking mostly increases if the fan and the sportsperson have the same religion.

Today we will know the religious belief of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. Let us know if he is really a Muslim or not.

Is Shaq a Muslim? Shaquille O’Neal believes he is a person of many religions including Islam

Shaq was a very dominant player during his era and had many accolades in his 19-year-long NBA career. He is a four-time NBA champion, three-time NBA Finals MVP, NBA Most Valuable Player, fifteen-time NBA All-Star, and much more.

We might know Shaquille O’Neal in and out as the popular NBA player that he is but not many know about his religious beliefs or as to what religion he follows.

If we look closely, there seems to be a connection between Islam and African American people. Several African American people devotedly follow Islam by birth or have converted to Islam in their later life. For example, from Kareem Abdul Jabbar to Muhammad Ali, to Mike Tyson to Hakeem Olajuwon, etc. are a few examples.

Now, notably, Shaq’s full name is Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal.

Further, due to Shaq’s full name, it can be told in plain sight that Shaq is not actually a Christian due to his unique name.

Moreover, 50-year-old Shaq once revealed that his name literally translates to “Little Warrior” in Arabic.

Also, Shaq once called fellow NBA player Hakeem Olajuwon as “Another Muslim brother.”

Adding up all these factors, we can conclude that Shaq O’Neal might really be a Muslim and a follower of Islam.

However, when asked about his religious beliefs, Shaq gave a balanced and diplomatic answer due to the prejudices held against Islam by the modern world.

“I’m Muslim, I’m Jewish, I’m Buddhist, I’m everybody because I’m a people person.” said Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal.

Furthermore, Shaq confessed that he wanted to make the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

All said and done, Shaq is really a great player and a greater entertainer. Keeping aside his religious views and ways, we can all agree that we thoroughly enjoy his basketball and entrepreneurial activities.