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Photos: British boxer Anthony Joshua 'abused' online for praying in Dubai mosque

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Photos: British boxer Anthony Joshua abused online for praying in Dubai mosque

Dubai - The celebrated boxer was in UAE for a break with his friends.

Published: Wed 18 Jan 2017, 9:56 AM

Updated: Wed 18 Jan 2017, 7:07 PM

  • By
  • Yousuf Saifuddin Kapadia

A British boxer has come under fire after posting a picture of him praying in a mosque in Dubai.
Star boxer and Olympic champion Anthony Joshua has been hit by shocking anti-Muslim abuse online, after he posted a picture of him praying with two friends in a Dubai mosque. 'Disappointed' netizens on Twitter trolled the boxer saying that they won't support him anymore
Joshua is of Nigerian descent and not understood to be a practising Muslim but was experiencing the culture with friends who are, The Metro reported.
He tweeted this to his 800,000 followers, along with an emoji showing hands clasped in prayer:

'Besides luck, hard work & talent.. Prayer is a solid foundation. It was nice to join my brother as he led through afternoon prayer (asr)'
He also shared the photo to almost two million followers on Instagram.
'Disappointed, won't be watching you again', one troll posted.
Some people said they had been fans but would now be 'praying for his opponents'.
'Hope Klitchko batters you now tbh,' one man wrote, referring to his upcoming fight against Wladimir Klitschko.

Then there were those questioning his choice to wear sunglasses in the mosque, and looking upwards instead of at the floor, implying that he wasn't focused enough during his prayer.

On the other hand, Joshua also received support from many netizens, wishing him all the best:

Some even reminded ignorant trolls about the Greatest Of All Time being a Muslim - Muhammad Ali:

It is noteworthy that Joshua is an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), who won gold at the 2012 Olympics.
The boxer arrived in Dubai nearly three weeks back for a break with a few friends.
 
Arrived In The City Of Life #Mydubai #Visitdubai ??
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on

Joshua is scheduled to fight Klitchko in April this year:

 
The team & I would hate for anyone to miss it.. ? 12PM today tickets go on sale via @stubhubuk #AJBoxing (link in bio)
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on
Based on the people tagged in his pictures, the 'squad' included Leon Skinner (owner of a UK-based social events management company The Hangout), Jcelite (a tennis athlete) and 'Healthy_Mindset' - a Muslim personal trainer who can be seen leading the prayer in the now viral picture.
 

Here are some snaps from his Dubai trip:

 
Perfect family feast??
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on
 
Going ??! About to go for a sunset cruise #mydubai #visitdubai ?
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on
 
Brits In Dubai ????
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on
 

When in the land of Arabia, dress as the Arabs do:

 
?Culture ????#StayHumble
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on

 

Boys having some fun in the desert:

 
Desert dune riders ??@altamayouz_rental ??
A video posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on
 

In Abu Dhabi:

 
Think it's time for a spin! ????
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on
 
Adrenaline Junky ????
A video posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on
 

Seems like the boxer is completely unfazed about the backlash, as he enjoyed some apple pie and ice cream according to this last post:

 
Can't beat apple pie & ice cream ????
A photo posted by Anthony Joshua (@anthony_joshua) on
yousufk@khaleejtimes.com



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