DUBAI: Star boxer Anthony Joshua has become a target of criticism after he posted a picture of him praying in a Dubai mosque.
He posted a photo-tweet on his Twitter page with caption reading: ‘Besides luck, hard work & talent.. Prayer is a solid foundation. It was nice to join my brother as he led through afternoon prayer (asr).’
Besides luck, hard work & talent.. Prayer is a solid foundation. It was nice to join my brother as he led through afternoon prayer (asr) 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/KJ4f2lu3mP
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) January 17, 2017
Joshua has 800,000 followers on Twitter. He also shared the photo on his Instagram profile where he has around 2 million followers.
The athlete is understood as not a practising Muslim.
However, he received a torrid of criticism over posting the picture.
@TRobinsonNewEra @anthonyfjoshua didn’t know he was a Muslim. Not a fan anymore.
— bobby b (@bobby_2081) January 17, 2017
@TRobinsonNewEra @anthonyfjoshua If he converts to Islam, I’ll be praying for his opponents from now on.
— Proud Infidel (@Clem_Fandango_) January 17, 2017
@TRobinsonNewEra @anthonyfjoshua AJ u was doing everything right now your going to lose loads of fans! Me for one! #disgusting
— deano (@LindleyDean) January 17, 2017
However, several of his supporters stated that the picture exposed many of his “fake fans” and stood by him.
@anthonyfjoshua might of lost a couple narrow minded fake fans but youve gained the love and respect of thousands BIG up AJ
— Jaykae (@Jaykae10) January 17, 2017
@anthonyfjoshua ignore these racist’s lot of respect you !!!
— Ali (@Muraad__) January 17, 2017
Lol like @anthonyfjoshua really cares about the views of some ignortans…
Remember @MuhammadAli, one of the greatest boxers ever.— Hêlîn (@MUnitedGirl) January 17, 2017
If you stop supporting @anthonyfjoshua over 1 picture, were you ever a real fan of him to begin with?
— Az (@AzTheBaz) January 17, 2017
