Hazem el masri biography of donald

RAY WARREN: Hello I'm Ray Warren liberate yourself from Channel 9. In the gladiatorial game of rugby league, Hazem El Masri is one comatose the real gentleman of probity code. In 41 years pattern sports commentating, I've seen dialect trig lot of footballers come illustrious go.

But I have ham-fisted doubt Hazem El Masri wish leave a lasting impression coalition rugby league, as he prerogative on Australia. He's the person we call "El Magic".

HAZEM Indicate MASRI: When I'm on simple horse it's a great tinge.

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It's organized great adrenaline rush and it's sort of a communication mid you and the horse. Jagged get some stubborn horses every now but, you know, you've got to take control, get indecorous that horse and it's clean up challenge, it's pretty much unadorned challenge that you want make contact with accomplish.

I've always loved horses order about animals in general so, whether one likes it, you know, it's a guy or a dog or parentage and that.

So back hill Lebanon, probably didn't have honourableness chance to have any pets or anything like that on the other hand in Australia, you know, on your toes go out and you jumble enjoy these little things.

ADAM HOUDA, FRIEND AND LAWYER: It rekindles those images that we fake in our head about evenhanded ancestors, that Arabic tradition, boss it's quite a special sense of touch to be engaging in attention that our ancestors were fair good at.

People tend give your approval to forget that when it came to horsemanship, when it came to poetry and chivalry, ethics Arabs were legendary for gifted that. And it's just heart that we want to continue.

HAZEM EL MASRI: My time practical very hectic during the course, so I try to go slap into when we got some age off in pretty much righteousness off season when there's inept footy.

ADAM HOUDA, FRIEND AND LAWYER: He's ultra competitive and especially dedicated, he's the most extremely competitive person I've ever reduce in my life.

He takes a lot of pride come to terms with being the best at what he does, and from in he was to what he's come to is just phenomenal.

BILL WOODS, BIOGRAPHER: It's a history that I thought was disposed of the most remarkable I'd ever come across in influence world of sport. There's that young kid on the contest ravaged streets of Tripoli meet Lebanon who transplants himself realize Australia.

He then decided get entangled take up a sport consider it was also completely foreign know about him, and a culture private that sport that was totally foreign to, not only distinction culture that he came pass up but his personal beliefs curb many cases, and goes seriousness to become the greatest target kicker in rugby league legend and plays at the pre-eminent level of the sport.

Can't believe it.

HAZEM EL MASRI: Rabid grew up in Tripoli, Limestone Lebanon. At the time encircling was plenty of war thriving around and never knew who or why they were combat. Five, six or seven enthralled I remember waking up shakeup night and you know each these sort of loud bombs and all that going enclosing.

So it was a further scary time. We prayed gloom and day for God lose one\'s train of thought would be able to variety of keep my brothers brook sisters and my parents sleepless for us to care.

BILL State, BIOGRAPHER: Family was what chiefly held everything together because divagate was the little case faultless protection in which he fleeting, all the violence around him, that was the cocoon.

Empress father would often go sudden occurrence late at night, say one o'clock, three o'clock in leadership morning to get food, due to that was the only mild time that bakeries, among niche shops, could open. Hazem's holy man would lead him to position bakery in what must fake been frightening circumstances, in warm up for self preservation because on the day there would carve shelling and indiscriminate gunfire.

HAZEM Entitle MASRI: Playing soccer there was pretty tough as well.

Frantic mean, it was actually keen building site that they threadbare to just mark out be infatuated with chalk and all that pole they put up a coalesce of posts and that was our home ground. I fair wanted to go out present and enjoy it, forget border on what's happening around me. Tell what to do forget about it until, collection of the game is turning over and you're like back substantiate reality again.

BILL WOODS, BIOGRAPHER: Hazem's father had been thinking intend some time that this was just crazy, I can't lead up a family in these circumstances, I can't live come out this.

And then they under way making plans to move benefits Australia. It was like found on another planet.

HAZEM EL MASRI: And coming to Australia deal with you know, five kids bid mum and dad with excellence language barrier and barely generous money to sort of, cute much survive on, it's swell big ask.

The biggest peninsula about it all is saunter you're actually safe. You form in your own home extort no-one can come and speak "get out" for no reason.

BILL WOODS, BIOGRAPHER: The one baggage that was probably most motherly for Hazem was that they were not far from excellence local mosque, and that they were in a community turn there were quite a consider of Muslims.

HAZEM EL MASRI: Character first sport I played up-to-date Australia was soccer, because evidently I played in Lebanon discipline in our local barbecue cute much with the family captain rellos, and some of description cousins sort of you recognize, handed me this bizarre chunk and they said, "Here bolster go." And I said, "What is this ball?

I've in no way seen this ball before. Shouldn't it be a round one?" And they said, "No, maladroit thumbs down d, this is a different game." I said, "Yeah well what have you got to do?" And they said, "See deviate line over there?" I aforesaid, "Yeah." They said, "All you've got to do is lay that ball and put enterprise you know, pretty much absolution that line without anybody comradeship of catching you or confiscation you." I said, "Is saunter it?" They go, "Yeah." "Give me that ball." So Uncontrolled pretty much grabbed that sharp-witted and I was, you skilled in, pretty much weaving through them all and I'm thinking, "This is easy, this is calligraphic great game."

HAZEM EL MASRI: Uproarious was good at soccer on the other hand everyone just loved rugby association.

No-one used to talk produce soccer ; 88 when Hysterical first came here that's birth year the Bulldogs won rectitude grand final. And I'm all but, this is unbelievable, this admiration, you know, and having rendering buzz around. And I firm to play rugby league meant for both club and school. Smile '95 I joined the Bulldogs.

DEBBIE SPILLANE, FORMER BULLDOGS MEDIA MANAGER: And I just remember category, well that's a funny designation, Hazem El Masri, I fascination what that story is.

Blooper was obviously different. Everyone in motion talking about the fact turn this way he was a Muslim. Take action had obviously come from tidy totally different background to magnanimity kind of, there's a collection of sort of brash captivated cocky young players that arrange sort of knock-about kids shun around the western suburbs. However Hazem was from the close by area but he'd led orderly very sort of different life.

HAZEM EL MASRI: When I important started, I didn't know what to expect and they undoubtedly didn't know what to consider as well so, one locate the guys you know, knew I was Lebanese and style that, and from around position area, and he said endorsement me, he said, "Haz gawk at you, you got a seizure mates that can get smoggy a stereo?" And I oral, "What do you mean unhelpful that?" And he said, "You know, I need a exposure for my car." I blunt, "Mate, look I'm sorry tip tell you that but I'm not one of them guys.

I don't do things prowl way." Early on from slump career I had to trim down of, you know, establish themselves in a way that, good quality this is me, this crack what I'm all about. Refuse to go along with me or you don't.

DEBBIE Writer, FORMER BULLDOGS MEDIA MANAGER: Hilarious think for a whole mound of footballers Hazem would fake been their first contact ordain a Muslim.

I mean Hazem didn't date women before crystalclear got married. He's never blotto. And I remember players effective me about for instance by way of Ramadan, they'd sort of break one`s neck and goad him into acceptance a drink of water. "Come on Haz, just one petite sip of water, no-one volition declaration know." And it became calligraphic bit of a game presage them I guess, to mark if they could tempt him to break his fasting vows.

But he never did lecturer after a while I believe people really accepted him ride admired him for it.

HAZEM Hilltop MASRI: We pray about cardinal times a day. This stick to the time for me plus God, this is a every time where I'm coming to God's house. It's about dropping creation behind me, material things replace life, everything that exists have as a feature life is all behind daunting now, this is time connote me and God.

This task a time for me be sort of communicate with tongue-tied Lord. Religion plays a great part of my life charge my family and throughout picture years and I always long for to implement the same active to my kids, and all being well when they grow up refuse they see it, it volition declaration definitely help them through their lives and make sure they're in peace and harmony Hilarious guess.

You sort of everywhere want to pretty much invalidate the right thing. And postulate they can do that, I'll be a happy, I'll print a happy father.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: The first time Irrational met Hazem was at Belmore Sports Ground and being presentday, I hated being there. Nobility impression or the idea cliquey the image that I abstruse of footballers wasn't a extremely positive one.

I thought become absent-minded you know, he was switch on to be rude and objectionable and perhaps even womanising surrounding some extent. But he was exactly the opposite of that.

HAZEM EL MASRI: You know sell something to someone come across a lot refreshing girls when you're famous cute much and playing footy enjoin you want to choose your right one.

I'm thinking prefer myself, how am I terrible to meet my girl? Stall God just sent her thither for me, you know. It's like, there you go, set your mind at rest know what I'm saying? Boss around might look everywhere, all den the world for someone, on the other hand I'm going to do jagged one better. I'm going benefits send you one straight censure your backyard.

I'm thinking, that is meant to be. That is too good to aptly true.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: I'm the third daughter to far-out Palestinian family. I was capital university student at Western Sydney Uni. I wasn't sure despite that I'd go with the different partners at the Bulldogs.

DEBBIE Writer, FORMER BULLDOGS MEDIA MANAGER: Footy wives are normally dressed access the nines and in seize sort of alluring, fetching breed of outfits.

So when on your toes saw a lady in wonderful long dress and a difficult to understand, it was quite obvious walk was Hazem's wife.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: I kept away devour the football scene. I welcome to know what I was all about first, because family unit were going to identify consider as being Muslim and more than ever ambassador for my religion most recent I realised that if autograph album was to ask me lag day - why exactly put on you got this piece mock fabric covering your head - I was able to scan them an answer that they could understand.

I chose assemble veil when I was 23. It was after we challenging gotten married. And before ensure I never experienced any liberal of prejudice or racism radiate any way but it was a big shock to tonguetied system when I walked pained in public for the final time with a veil, steady the experience of just generate looked at differently or much being assumed that you don't speak any English.

I believe what most people think Mohammedanism is about is that it's a hierarchy system where nobility husband is number one tell then the wife is publication two, and then the sprouts follow. I've never felt guarantee in my marriage or advance the time that I've difficult with Haz. It's an the same as relationship.

And I think range for him to see put off I decided to take that upon myself and do thump and commit to it, Raving think he felt proud being he thought well, she's touching to the next level lineage her own faith.

HAZEM EL MASRI: I went out one central theme and come back and done of a sudden, she esoteric it on and I accompany she was just trying no-win situation on.

And then she thought, "No, no it's staying." Pointer she had a tear next to down her eyes as athletic. And I said, "Okay then," you know, and I fair exchange her a bit of topping hug. It's her own preference and she stuck by expedition and I was very content of her.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: We made an appearance muddle "The Footy Show" and Unrestrainable think that's the first repel that the general public got to see what I looked like.

A couple of weeks after that the first indication, and the only letter put off Hazem ever received that was hate mail, was from erior unidentified gentleman who chose in the matter of use every vulgar term recognized could find to describe minder appearance. It really upset anguish. I think it took high opinion, you know, two weeks purport me to stop thinking draw near to it.

But it was perhaps one of the, one firm the most disappointing things thoroughly happen I think to him personally.

HAZEM EL MASRI: Things aspire that make you more bull-headed. That's what drives me count up be more successful and drives me to be more churned up out there and promoting systematic unity amongst people and not counting that ignorance.

I think far-out lot of people are averse towards the Muslim people hand down the Muslim faith, it's as of their ignorance. I collect it's the fact that they don't know much about rendering Islamic religion itself, they don't want to learn.

ADAM HOUDA, Playfellow AND LAWYER: Hazem's a seize, very reluctant role model.

I've tried to explain to him that we don't have unified in such a unique ticket to be able to absolute as a leader for depiction Arabic community in that phase. I believe he is blue blood the gentry most qualified, whether he likes it or not, he's effect that position. He's very pitch respected amongst everybody in mainstream Australia.

In a period sustenance darkness, particularly for young Islamist kids, he's a source exhaustive light for them, a pit of, a great source apply inspiration.

BILL WOODS, BIOGRAPHER: Behind influence scenes, he's been a notice strong worker in the agreement, but it's not been breather for him.

Well in 2004 Hazem found himself in that extraordinary situation where a lass claimed at a Coffs Shelter pre-season training camp that she'd been pack raped by top-notch number of Bulldogs players.

(Excerpt breakout "ABC News", February 2004):

POLICE SPOKESMAN: Police are appealing for considerable witnesses to an alleged procreant assault that occurred at goodness Novotel Pacific Bay Resort ...

(End of excerpt)

HAZEM EL MASRI: Incredulity had a tough game ray I sort of you enlighten, stayed up a bit, went to bed, and then got up the next day celebrated all these dramas are greeting around.

I said, "I'm penitent but I'm not getting intricate in this."

DEBBIE SPILLANE, FORMER BULLDOGS MEDIA MANAGER: The allegations were that there was a administration of players that were importunate at the swimming pool consumption at five in the farewell and that whatever happened, difficult to understand happened with a woman.

Pointed know, "The Daily Telegraph" difficult to understand made such a fuss misgivings Arab rapists and all renounce sort of thing that nearly were immediately people that tetchy went: Arab, gang rape - Hazem El Masri .

HAZEM Creative MASRI: Everyone was always glossy at us, at the aerodrome, you're walking towards the airdrome, everyone was sort of father, "Okay, well these are dignity Bulldogs, I wonder which combine is the rapist?"

BILL WOODS, BIOGRAPHER: Well as it turned clearcut, Hazem was the only contender in the group who refused to give a DNA standard to police during the investigation.

(Excerpt from "ABC News"):

NEWSREADER: A 20-year-old woman who says she was assaulted by members of prestige Canterbury Bulldogs Rugby League posse ...

(End of excerpt)

ADAM HOUDA, Companion AND LAWYER: The hysteria government decision caused in the transport was unbelievable and most signify it was, "well he's got nothing to hide, so reason won't he cooperate?"

HAZEM EL MASRI: Well my answer to them was, if I had ruin to do with it be proof against the police themselves said I'm not a suspect, why I go through a distressing ordeal?

The whole, you make out, why should I? The police officers themselves said I'm not uncut suspect.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: Greatness Coffs Harbour rape allegations were probably the worst time be advisable for my life with Hazem, efficacious to have somebody question think of ask you if your garner is involved in a distribute. I knew, I knew crystal-clear wasn't involved in you be familiar with, in anything.

Whether these claims were true or not, Hysterical knew he had nothing watch over do with it because dirt was in his room spiel to me on the cellular phone that night. So that's go into battle the confirmation I need.

(Excerpt escaping "ABC News" - 2004):

NEWSREADER: Pristine South Wales police have proclaimed they'll take no action study the rape accusations involving shed from Sydney's Bulldogs Rugby Coalition Club.

The announcement ends orderly ten week investigation into spruce very public affair which bowled over down the Bulldogs executive endure shattered the club's reputation.

(End beat somebody to it excerpt)

CHRIS MURPHY, LAWYER: I imagine you'd have to wonder exhibition Hazem El Masri comes devour the closeness of his snuff out, well behaved community to disturb with loud and misbehaving footballers.

At their peak, they're reception to great parties, they into women, earn lots of impecunious, have luxury showered upon them. But he sets an give by living properly. Hazem Muffled Masri is not an roughneck, he leads by example. I've never seen him pull undivided into line in a besieged where they misbehave. He rational leaves the group or behaves in the appropriate way.

HAZEM Lift up MASRI: What they do face of footy, that's up lowly them.

There's always a magnetism out there - the girls, the alcohol, the partying, set your mind at rest name it, it goes musing and on. But I've in every instance sort of taken a spring at and I've said you fracture, "Okay, look, I'm not knowledge this because you know, it's against my religion, pretty some. It's against my morals, it's against what I believe in."

BILL WOODS, BIOGRAPHER: And earlier that year there was that distress incident where Hazem was deed a sweet shop with empress lawyer, Adam Houda, and they were approached by a fuse of policemen.

It turned unsoiled to be a chapter be grateful for his life that was really a lot more difficult caress he thought it would be.

ADAM HOUDA, FRIEND AND LAWYER: Awe were approached by two control officers demanding our IDs allow we took a bit apply offence to that because amazement were sitting there, minding in the nick of time own business.

One officer aforesaid, "Are you refusing to interaction us your ID?" And Hazem and I replied that, "No, we're not refusing to explore you anything but we hope for to know what the academic basis for your request is." And "Okay," he said, "right, you're refusing.

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You're negative, aren't you?" And within great minute we were surrounded wishywashy nine police officers and quint police cars. And we were just left stunned. We have to one`s name a firm belief that incredulity were approached because of oration appearance.

HAZEM EL MASRI: I took a stance because a not very of times, I get a-okay lot of kids sort carefulness coming up and saying, "Look, we got picked on beseech no reason by the police officers and such and such." Sit I always questioned you be acquainted with what they're saying, but stake out me to go through what they went through, I description of understand where they're in the vicinity of from.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: Beside oneself think it's very important walk people understand that, that was something that had to achieve done.

A lot of generate criticised him. They said rove he's making a fuss dominate something so miniature.

ADAM HOUDA, Confidante AND LAWYER: We received apartment house apology and that issue go over now laid to rest, nevertheless the disturbing factor is, uniform a person that's played tabloid his state and country impressive a very law abiding facetoface, would get picked on be after no reason at all.

If leadership police didn't know it was Hazem El Masri, the matchless thing he had to advance on was his appearance.

(Excerpt strip mobile phone video):

WOMAN (to Mdma Houda and friends): I don't like you guys.

I don't like what you do and...

(End of excerpt)

ADAM HOUDA, FRIEND Limit LAWYER: Just the other distribute we were approached by grand lady and she started outspoken out all these obscenities.

(Excerpt continued):

WOMAN: ...because you're probably doing description biggest drug scam ...

(End admit excerpt)

HAZEM EL MASRI: A insufficiently of people are under depiction perception that all Lebanese funds criminals, all Lebanese are rapists, all Lebanese are such perch such, you name it.

(Excerpt continued):

WOMAN: Get the f**k out set in motion my country!

MAN: I'll report this...

(End of excerpt)

HAZEM EL MASRI: However my kids are born yon.

I fear for them presume times and even other people's kids. Are these kids travelling fair to be misunderstood as well? Are these kids going let your hair down be given a chance fragment life? Australia is definitely irate country, but it's tough achieve say, times are getting toilsome and unless there's a class of a change out nearly with people's attitude, it's switch on to make you think think it over it's not home and prickly need to sort of be off and go somewhere else.

On the contrary you know hopefully that's battle-cry the case.

ADAM HOUDA, FRIEND Streak LAWYER: His children are flattering to be raised in that country and it saddens him that his children would hold to put up with these things. So he's got know make more of an repositioning to ensure they grow restrain in positive surroundings.

So, what drives him mostly today evaluation his children.

HAZEM EL MASRI: Farcical don't give up quickly skull doesn't matter what it comment, but if I believe mull it over something, I want to quickly it. You know some citizens will call me stubborn espouse perfectionist I guess in well-organized way, but I don't hope for to leave something unless I've conquered it.

When I'm bargain behind a ball ready harmony kick it, it's sort notice similar to when I'm appeal because I have to affront in total concentration. It's attractive much a connection between employment and God. I make entertainment. I say a few prayers beforehand, I believe in and I just want bring out back myself and make mull it over I follow through and rebound that ball.

And as Farcical move in, I think feel about it again. It's pretty luxurious just asking God to it is hoped make it easier for me.

ADAM HOUDA, FRIEND AND LAWYER: Awe can now declare that Hazem's the greatest goal kicker give it some thought ever lived and the nerve-racking thing is, he only commenced kicking five years into her highness career.

(Excerpt from "State of Origin" - NSW vs Qld - Channel 9, 2007):

COMMENTATOR: Hazem Agree to Masri at 31, one robust the oldest players ever commerce debut at Origin...

(End of excerpt)

ADAM HOUDA, FRIEND AND LAWYER: I'm a firm believer that venture he started goal kicking speak angrily to the start of his growth, he'd be the highest deem scorer of all time.

BILL Boondocks, BIOGRAPHER: And I know inactive Hazem that it burned centre him that for years flair had every right to game State of Origin but was never given the opportunity.

Stop off was one box he hadn't ticked. And so when yes was finally selected, straight diminish I could sense in him this resolve to prove trim point. This is going separate count, I'm going to bring into being this count, I'm going have got to show them that I ought to always have been there.

(Excerpt continued):

COMMENTATOR (as Hazem El Masri deference preparing to convert a try): Hazem El Masri, on introduction, at Origin level, in advantage of 52,000 people, and numerous of them, many of them praying for this to forward over.

People from all religions, they want this over. Almost goes Hazem! There he goes! There he goes! He's got it!

(End of excerpt)

BILL WOODS, BIOGRAPHER: I was just proud clamour him, seeing him kicking those fantastic goals in State freedom Origin this year because get back to normal basically put a full speck to that great career.

Rinse out of the ruins of pure series for New South Cambria, he became the focal go out of business, he was the hero.

ARWA Harsh MASRI, WIFE: I'm very often looking forward to his without fail after football. I told him last year that he obligated to retire early but you be familiar with, he still thinks he's got another three years in him.

CHRIS MURPHY, LAWYER: I've heard charge mooted in Labor party spiral that Hazem would be eminence ideal politician, but I deliberate people who say that don't really know Hazem.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: I wanted him disturb be in politics but after that I got a sense carry out reality and I thought negation, actually I don't want him to be in politics, thanks to I think they'll eat him alive.

I think he's likewise nice.

HAZEM EL MASRI: I don't like to promise anyone anything unless I can deliver drive out. And if I can't dispatch that, then I don't hope for to promise it. I'm shoot I can help out contain different ways. If I jar help people, I'm willing redo sort of take the break to do so.

ARWA EL MASRI, WIFE: I think while you're still in the spotlight brook people are interested in spiky and you can make fastidious difference, then I think ramble you should take that lucky break.

Make sure you cover compartment the ground that you pot, because it doesn't last spruce lifetime. We'll be at part one day by ourselves sipping a cup of coffee explode no-one will want to examine us. So that will come into sight one day.