While a fierce debate continues on whether a mosque should be built within a few blocks of Ground Zero in New York, a Trinity freshman football player earns the respect of his teammates with his quiet dignity and commitment to his faith as a Muslim.
There’s a reason, after all, why universities are called institutions of higher learning.
While Ali Elaydi is young, he’s not naïve. He knows prejudice against Muslims exists in this country.
“I would support anybody building a mosque anywhere,” Elaydi said. “Maybe it’s the timing, but there are always going to be people who find a reason to oppose something.”
If Elaydi ever has been the target of discrimination because of his religion, he says he’s never noticed it. To hear Elaydi tell it, he was an American long before he became a naturalized American citizen in May.
“Surprisingly, I consider myself as much a Texan and an American as anybody else,” Elaydi said. “I’ve never experienced prejudice at all. I’m basically like all my teammates, but I choose to worship in a different religion.”
Born a Palestinian in the Gaza Strip, Elaydi emigrated to the United States with his family when he was 3 and grew up in Arlington, where the Dallas Cowboys now play their home games. Blending in, Elaydi said, never has been a problem for him in any facet of his life.
“I’ve always lived an American lifestyle,” he said.
A three-year starter on the offensive line at Arlington Seguin High School, Elaydi is competing for playing time as an offensive guard at Trinity.
The Tigers open their season against Howard Payne at 6 p.m. Saturday at Stevens Stadium.
Considering preseason workouts have coincided with Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset for roughly a month, Elaydi’s commitment to practice has been nothing short of remarkable.
Preseason workouts in sweltering conditions are grueling by any measure, but imagine the challenge of trying to make it through a practice, or sometimes two in one day, without a drop of water.
“It’s a testament to Ali’s perseverance,” Trinity head coach Steve Mohr said. “It’s a very unique thing. There are not a lot of college athletes who would do that.”
Ramadan started Aug. 11, the day before the Tigers began workouts, and ends Sept. 9. Elaydi already has made it through the worst, surviving two-a-days before school started Aug. 26.
Elaydi said he has fasted “seriously” during Ramadan since he was 10, developing a mental and physical toughness that has helped him on the football field.
“It takes discipline,” he said. “I always put religion before football. It gets pretty hard, but you just stick with it.
“I feel that if I can make it through practice without water, it makes me better. If I can do this, I can overcome anything. It makes the test, the game at the end of the week, so much easier.”
Trinity athletic trainer Marc Powell has kept a close eye on Elaydi to ensure he stays hydrated and regains enough weight after each practice to stay on the field.
Elaydi, 6-foot-1, said Tuesday night that he weighs 232 pounds, 13 pounds less than he weighed at the start of preseason workouts. The most weight he lost in one day was 12 pounds, Powell said.
“He’s averaged a loss of about seven to eight pounds a day, but he’s done a good job of putting enough weight back on for a guy his size,” Powell said.
Elaydi eats supper shortly after 8:30 p.m., and then eats again at 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
“He’s done way better than I anticipated,” Powell said. “When somebody tells you they’re going to be eating or drinking anything during most of the day, it makes you a little nervous out of the gate.
“I’ve been tremendously impressed with the way Ali has managed it. Our kids, judging from the way they interact with him, have a lot of respect for him. Even if you’re not Muslim, you have to take your hat off to him.”
Senior wide receiver Caleb Urban, a team captain, said Elaydi has been a positive influence.
“It’s cool to have a guy that goes through that much adversity to be on the team,” Urban said.
Offensive lineman Justin Campbell smiled when asked him about Elaydi.
“I have such respect for that man,” Campbell said. “His devotion and his dedication to his faith while going through such grueling practices is something to see. He’s a fantastic guy.”
Elaydi said he has been heartened by the support he has received from Trinity coaches and players.
“It’s been very good,” he said. “That’s what I like about being part of a team. It’s a brotherhood.”
The youngest of four children born to Hussein and Zolfa Elaydi, Ali is a pre-med major who plans to pursue a career in sports medicine.
At least one thing’s for sure: He’ll know plenty about the importance of staying hydrated
