NRL and All Blacks legend Sonny Bill Williams has sparked a debate about Muslim clothing simply by sharing a family photo on social media.
The footy star turned boxer marked the end of Ramadan by posting a picture on X of himself with his wife Alana and their children Zaid, Aisha, Imaan, Essa, and Mohammed, alongside the message, “Eid Mubarak from the Williams.”
Williams, who converted to Islam in 2009, saw his post go viral when Ali Al-Hadhrami shared it with the comment, “Refreshing to see converts dress like Malaysians instead of Arabs for once.”
Williams later reposted Al-Hadhrami’s comment, which pointed out that the former Bulldogs and Roosters star was wearing a Baju Melayu top and songkok cap, similar to his sons, while his wife wore a tudong head covering.
These garments are traditional in Malay culture, and Williams has strong ties to Malaysia, where he serves as the pro chancellor of Albukhary International University in Alor Setar, located north of Kuala Lumpur.
Al-Hadhrami’s comment sparked a variety of reactions on X, with some users interpreting it as an insult to Muslims who wear traditional Arab-style clothing.
Williams shared this photo with his wife Alana and their children Zaid, Aisha, Imaan, Essa, and Mohammed to celebrate the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan.
The former NRL star’s tweet sparked this comment regarding the family’s attire.
A debate quickly ensued, with some commenters feeling that the Arab style of dress was being criticized.
“What’s your point? What’s the issue if they wear Arab clothing? No one raises concerns about cultural erasure when people wear jeans or a suit, but when it comes to Arabs, it’s a whole different story,” one commenter wrote.
“What’s the issue non-Arabs have with Arabs? Always criticizing when converts try to show their conversion by wearing modern Muslim clothing like thobes and abayas. Are you jealous of Arabs, or do you feel inferior because people choose to dress like them? Wallahi, this is getting ridiculous,” one commenter said.
“It is cultural erasure because I am Malaysian, and I know it’s true! We can be Muslims and wear whatever we like, but the obsession with Arab clothing to prove one is Muslim? A definite no-no!” another added.
“Arab hatred is so forced,” a third wrote, while another commented, “Non-Arab clothing is haram,” using the Arabic word for forbidden.
In response, Al-Hadhrami clarified his tweet, saying, “Some people seem to think this tweet is anti-‘converts wearing Arab clothing.’ No, it’s not. Anyone can wear whatever they want, I don’t care. Stop trying to read between the lines and take this tweet at face value.”
Other commenters referenced Williams’ strong connections to Malaysia, with one noting that he had been in Johor during Ramadan at the invitation of the region’s sultan.
Williams, who converted to Islam while playing rugby union in France, has become a devout Muslim. Last year, he revealed that he once tried to pressure his wife into wearing a hijab during the early days of their relationship.
The commenter who sparked the debate attempted to clarify his point with this tweet.
Williams, a devout Muslim since converting to Islam in 2009, holds a prominent position at a Malaysian university and had been staying in the country (pictured) during Ramadan.
Williams married Alana in August 2013 after a whirlwind four-week romance, despite admitting that they weren’t in love at the time. Their decision to marry was rooted in Islamic tradition.
“Right from the start, we said we’re going to do it Islamically correct, so even during those first four weeks, I wasn’t alone with her; we always had a chaperone,” he had previously shared.
Williams was invited as the guest speaker at the first of a series of Faith Events’ Islamic educational gatherings in Malaysia for 2024. During his conversation with Shaykh Wael Ibrahim, he was asked about his wife’s headscarf.
The former NRL premiership winner and New Zealand All Black World Cup champion revealed that, early in their relationship, he tried to pressure Alana into wearing the hijab as he deepened his own commitment to Islam.
“When I started getting more religious and learning more, I was on this journey, and I expected those close to me to be on the same path,” he explained. “So I began putting pressure on my wife, telling her she needed to wear the headscarf.”
At the time, Alana wasn’t having it.
“My wife, being the feisty Cape Malay [Muslim community in South Africa] that she is, told me, ‘Look, this is my journey. You worry about yourself and stop pointing the finger,'” Williams recalled.
“Subhanallah [Glory be to Allāh], I went on my own journey and realized I am the shepherd of my family,” he continued. “I had to lead by my actions, just like I did as a rugby player. So I started leading by example.”
