Shaquille O’Neal remains one of the most prominent NBA figures despite retiring years ago. The main reason for that would be the influence he had on and off the NBA court. Even today, fans question Shaq’s personal life and beliefs. That includes his religion as well.
Shaq has never revealed that he follows and believes in one religion. Therefore, one may wonder what religion he follows and whether he even believes in the divine. Many people are under the assumption that he is Muslim due to the nature of his unique name. We should delve further into the truth to understand what Shaq believes in.
Shaquille O’Neal believes he is a person of many religions including Islam
To be frank, there seems to be a connection between Islam and African American people. From Kareem Abdul Jabbar to Muhammad Alito Mike Tyson to Hakeem Olajuwon to Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal. Each has either changed religions to be their true self or was Muslim from the very beginning.
Do you know that Shaquille O’Neal is a Muslim? in 2010 he did reveal he intended to take the Islamic pilgrimage known as the Hajj to Mecca.
— RMPM (@RichPoorMsia) October 30, 2014
In Shaq’s case, we could already tell he wasn’t Christian due to his unique name. He once revealed that his name translates to ” Little Warrior” in Arabic. Moreover, O’Neal has referred to fellow NBA player Hakeem Olajuwon as “Another Muslim brother.”
These factors allow us to conclude that Shaq is indeed a follower of Islam. However, when asked about his religious beliefs, he gave quite a balanced and neutral answer due to the prejudices held against his religion by the modern world.
“I’m Muslim, I’m Jewish, I’m Buddhist, I’m everybody because I’m a people person.”
When asked his religion, Shaquille O’Neal said “I’m Muslim, I’m Jewish, I’m Buddhist. I’m everybody ’cause I’m a people person.”
Um, obfuscating about your religious identity doesn’t make you a ‘people person’.
— The Tentative Apologist (@RandalRauser) August 7, 2020
Shaq is one of the many NBA personalities who are Muslim. Kyrie Irving, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem, Jaylen Brown, are all some of the most famous players who believe in Islam.
