Two lifelong Liverpool FC fans today thanked supporters after they were branded a “disgrace” for saying Islamic prayers in an Anfield stairwell.
Solicitors Asif Bodi and Abubakar Bhula were pictured worshipping during the half-time break as the Reds took on Blackburn Rovers at the weekend.
A social media storm began when Liverpool fan Stephen Dodd published the photo on Twitter, accompanied by the caption: “Muslims praying at half time at the match yesterday #DISGRACE.”
Dodd’s comment was met with widespread criticism and he was quickly labelled a “raging bigot” on Twitter.
Mr Bodi, 46, from Preston, whose eight-year-old son Ayman can also be seen in Dodd’s photo, told the Echo: “We were very surprised by the reaction.
“My little boy said at the time ‘someone is taking a picture of us’ and I thought maybe it was someone who hadn’t seen prayers before.
“I certainly didn’t expect to be called a disgrace for doing it. But the support since has been very nice and I’m thankful.”
Explaining the Islamic prayer tradition, he said: “We have a small window in which to pray, a bit like the transfer window in football. Once that closes the chance has gone.
“That day, the time came for prayer and the window would have closed before the game finished so we did it at half-time.
“Most people are absolutely fine with it and the stewards at Anfield are wonderful, but it only takes one or two people to react in the wrong way and you could have a nasty situation.”
Mr Bhula, 37, who has known Mr Bodi since childhood, said he would happily meet with Dodd to explain the importance of prayers in Islam.
He said: “We’ve had a lot of nice comments since and I appreciate that. We weren’t harming anybody.
“Education is key to stopping things like this from happening. Maybe the man who took the photo has not come across Muslims before who have explained the significance of prayer.
“I would be quite happy to meet with him to explain why we pray and when it needs to be done.”
Dodd posted the photograph on Twitter on Monday, although it was deleted following the public backlash and condemnation of his “disgrace” slur.
He did not respond to the Echo’s request for a comment.
Twitter user LFCChris hit back at Dodd, saying: “Only thing wrong here is that you support Liverpool.”
Paddy J Cawkwell added: “Respect to them, brother, can’t believe people think this is disgusting.”
Another man commented: “Is this a joke? What did these guys do to harm anyone?”