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Colin Kaepernick Refutes Allegations of Conversion to Islam

Colin Kaepernick Refutes Allegations of Conversion to Islam
Au Kirk; cropped by Moe Epsilon/a> [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
After NFL QB Colin Kaepernick refuses to stand for national anthem, rumors swirl of conversion to Islam.

Fresh allegations have been raised against the 49er's quarterback, Colin Kaepernick for not standing during the singing of the American national anthem in August. This time, critics accuse him of having converted to Islam under the influence of his Muslim girlfriend and her family members. Kaepernick shocked spectators by refusing to stand during the anthem, saying that he did not want to show respect to a nation that discriminated between its people of different races.

Colin Kaepernick Refutes Allegations of Conversion to Islam[/tweetthis]

Rumors have now surfaced about the NFL player that he is secretly a Muslim. Kaepernick's Muslim girlfriend, Nessa Diab, has been said to have converted him to Islam. However, Kaepernick refuted the claims saying that he hasn't converted. He said that he has great love for the religion, however, and added that he knows a lot of Muslims who are great people. He believes that the accusations of conversion that he is facing stems from a deep hatred and fear of Islam.

Kaepernick revealed in an NFL interview that he refused to stand during the anthem as a mark of protest against the growing discrimination and bigotry in the nation. He said that he refuses to “take pride in flag for a country that oppresses Black people and other people of color." He only expressed hope that his radical action would bring national attention to the issues and put an end to the police brutalities and social injustices the American minorities face.

Anti-Islam groups were quick to theorize that Kaepernick's behavior was due to him having converted to Islam. The rumor spread like wildfire on blogs, websites and news channels. Kapernick responded to the rumors last Wednesday by saying that the rumors were spread by people who were Islamophobic. He added that Islamophobia is so prevalent in the nation that the fear people harbor towards Muslims has reached a point where Trump has even declared that he will ban Muslims from entering America.

Defending his girlfriend, he admitted that she is a Muslim and so is her family. However, he has made it clear that he has not converted to Islam, although he has a great respect for them and their faith. He added that he believes everyone has a right to believe whatever they want to believe.

The rumors reveals a disturbing reality where for a lot of Americans, anything seen as “anti-America” is linked to Islam.

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