ANTHONY JOSHUA has been subjected to shocking anti-Muslim abuse after posting a picture of himself praying in a mosque.
The British heavyweight champion, 27, posted the photo on his Twitter account as he knelt in the holy building in Dubai during some time off from the ring.
Besides luck, hard work & talent.. Prayer is a solid foundation. It was nice to join my brother as he led through afternoon prayer (asr)
pic.twitter.com/KJ4f2lu3mP
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) January 17, 2017
Joshua is not a Muslim but has an interest in the faith – and his caption read: “Besides luck, hard work & talent.. Prayer is a solid foundation. It was nice to join my brother as he led through afternoon prayer (asr).”
Joshua has been enjoying some downtime before serious training takes hold ahead of his huge April 29 fight with Wladimir Klitschko in London.
But some of the comments below his post will not have relaxed him – and while some embraced it, many others gave back vile abuse and vowed not to follow the 2012 Olympic gold medallist in his quest to add the WBA belt to his IBF title.
One wrote: “Jesus Christ, that’s an unfollow from me an all if you follow that backwards religion! Good day.”
Others, such as user Matt C, commented: “Hope Klitchko batters you now.”
Mark Warren said: “MUSLIM??? That’s me defo not a supporter or fan.”
And another simply put: “Unfollow unsupport.”
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But people were quick to hit back at the trolls and support the boxer, with one writing: “He is still a great fighter and now choose not to support him. I feel sorry for you.”
Another said: “Lies and slander spread by those with no knowledge. May Allah guide you to the right path.”
And a third commented: “To all the people hating. Muhammad Ali was a Muslim and the greatest of all time, do you guys hate him as well??”
Asr is the afternoon daily prayer recited by Muslims – and while Joshua is not a member of any particular religion, he has spoken about being spiritual.
In an interview last year during which he revealed he prayed before fights, he said: “I don’t have a preferred religion: I’d have to do research.
“I was born a Christian but as I’ve grown into my own man I don’t attach myself to a religion; 100 per cent I have faith. Then it’s locking into what suits me.”
He has taken an interest in Islam however, posing for other pictures with friends in the faith, wearing traditional clothing.
And in the past he has tweeted his 800,000 Twitter followers wishing them a happy Eid and Ramadan.
"AJ" is set to face Klitschko at Wembley Stadium in what will be a box office record-breaking fight with over 80,000 tickets already sold.
It eclipses Carl Froch and George Groves' second meeting at the same venue in May 2014 as promoter Eddie Hearn hopes to increase the capacity to almost 90,000.
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