Arsenal Defender Mohamed Elneny joined Muslim faithfuls to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan in Mecca.
The Egypt international visited the Holy City of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to celebrate Ramadan with millions of Muslim faithfuls across the world.
Mohamed Elneny has been on the sidelines at Arsenal and has been ruled out for the rest of the Premier League season following a knee injury.
In January, he underwent a successful knee surgery but will spend time recuperating before returning to the club next season.
His spell on the sidelines afforded him time to take a trip to Mecca to celebrate Ramadan.
Beaming with smiles, Elneny shared a snap of himself standing at the Grand Mosque in front of the Holy Temple.
It is not the first time he has made a trip to the Holy City. In 2019, Elneny also made a trip to the Holy City before paying another visit in 2021.
This recent visit is the third time he has visited the City as a devout Muslim faithful.
Elneny was born and raised in Egypt where Islam is the predominant religion. Apart from his on-field heroics, Elneny leaves no stone unturned when it comes to his religious life and spiritual experience.
During Ramadan, the Arsenal star listens to his faith and joins Muslim faithfuls to fast and pray throughout the month.
He does this whether he is playing for his club or not.
Speaking in 2022 about observing Ramadan as a player, Mohamed Elneny said any player observing the rituals of the Holy Month must have a very strong mentality and he is happy he is always supported by his club when he wants to observe Ramadan.
“The mentality of the player must be strong to be able to fast. Happy my club always supports me,” Mohamed Elneny said.
This year, the Premier League enlisted their support for all Muslim faithfuls in the Premier League joining the Ramadan fast.
Referees were asked to pause evening matches to allow players break their fast during matches.
The 2023 Ramadan fast started on March 23 and will end on April 21. Elneny will have enough time at his disposal to take part in the event since he is off club duties.
This season, he has made only eight appearances for Arsenal and have struggled on the sidelines.
Elneny last played and scored for Arsenal in their third round FA Cup tie against Oxford on January 9, 2023.
He is Arsenal’s longest-serving player since joining the club in 2016.
Mohamed Elneny is integral to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal plan despite struggling on the sidelines.
His contract was due to expire at the end of the season but the one-year contract extension clause was triggered to extend his stay at the club to 2024.
The Egypt international has played a peripheral role in the Gunners’ Premier League title push this season but will certainly land his first Premier League medal after seven years if Arsenal emerge winners.
