Hatem Ben Arfa Sued for Libel Over Remarks Concerning Religious Sect
When Newcastle United midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa explained his journey in and out of a religious sect he was speaking from a personal experience, but now the footballer is being sued by the same man who led him to become a follower of Sufism.
Ben Arfa became aware of Sufism, which is a branch of Islam, and claims that he was “indoctrinated” and “virtually cut off from the rest of the world” while he was a practicing member.
Hatem Ben Arfa is being sued for libel over a claim he was coerced into joining the Sufism sect by the French rapper Abd Al Malik.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Al Malik’s lawyer Isabelle Weckstein told Reuters that “A complaint will be filed” as well as stating that Al Malik's manager Fabien Coste will also be suing the player.
The 24-year-old admits that he used to be “arrogant”, and convey a “negative vibe” because of his rough childhood.
In speaking of his religious experience, Ben Arfa stated when he was a teenage prodigy with Lyon, he was introduced to Sufism by French rapper Abd Al Malik, and then joined them in Morocco, according to Mirror Football.
He revealed, “I was in a bad way, and seeking well-being. I read a lot of books about Sufism, and the good things about it attracted me. As Abd Al Malik was interested in it, I contacted him, and I soon got involved.”
Ben Arfa explained how they placed their religious leaders high above themselves. “They placed their sheikh on a pedestal. They kept on telling me that everyone who went against Sufism was an enemy. They conditioned me, and at one stage I wanted to follow them.”
“I had an idealistic view of religion at the time…I was part of a movement with a spiritual leader, a sheikh. When I went into the prayer hall I had to kiss his feet, it was compulsory.”
Ben Arfa credits his “ego” of all things in helping gaining a better perspective. “My ego saved me. I could not accept doing that. I didn’t like what I was experiencing with them. I was a long way off the spiritualism I was seeking.”
Now with his fresh religious outlook he must now turn his focus to a legal game that is only just starting.
