Football star Bachar Houli says young Muslims are being unfairly branded as terrorists — and he urged them to show patience in response.
Promoting his football program, the Richmond midfielder and AFL multicultural ambassador claimed the toughest challenge for Muslim youth was to overcome the racial slur.
Radio star John Burns was forced to apologise in April after he allegedly called Houli, 27, a terrorist.
“It is common what they’re probably facing — the biggest thing is being called probably a terrorist,” Houli said.
“The best way to respond to that is just to be simply patient. Even if you are wronged, just be patient because you always come up on top.”
The Bachar Houli Program reaches about 10,000 students each year and uses football to connect the Muslim and wider communities.
“With what’s happening all around the world, there is so much disunity,” Houli said.
“These programs are special because we can bring all these kids together and celebrate that we are all proud Australians living in this country together.”
Students from three of Melbourne’s Muslim colleges — Minaret, Ilim and Darul Ulum — battled it out at Punt Rd Oval in his Bachar Houli Cup.
Thirty five players will be plucked from the pack for a week-long football academy in September to help them break into the AFL.
Houli said while nobody was perfect, he relished being a role model — even if it was a “24 hours, seven days a week” job.
“Every move I make in society is so important because I feel like the whole world is watching me,” he said.
“The main concept is just to become practising Muslims and the right Muslims in this country — being peaceful people, being people that are respectful to others.
“If these boys can grow up with that sort of mentality this country will be a great country to live in and people will start to accept us more.”
The Federal Government pledged $200,000 to the program in its bid to engage Muslim youth and counter violent extremism.
Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan said that during “difficult times internationally” Australians must stand together.
“It is very important that we focus on what unites us and not what divides us,” Mr Keenan said.
“The half a million Muslims in Australia are very good Australian citizens and we are focusing on a tiny element in that community.”