Former NBA champion Hakeem Olajuwon has described his Islamic Dawah Centre in Houston as the greatest accomplishment of his life. The centre, established in 2002, has had a greater impact on the Muslim community and society than his basketball achievements. Olajuwon made these remarks during an interview with CNN correspondent Larry Madowo for the African Voices programme. He emphasized that serving Allah and contributing to the community through the centre gives him a sense of fulfilment that his sporting achievements could not match.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, on January 21, 1963, Olajuwon was raised in a Muslim family and attended Muslim Teachers College in Lagos before moving to the United States in 1980 to pursue his basketball career. Although he was born and raised Muslim, his commitment to practising Islam deepened during his professional basketball career. He became more devoted to studying the Qur’an and regularly attending the mosque in Houston around 1988 and performed Hajj in 1991.
The Islamic Dawah Centre, located in downtown Houston, is one of Olajuwon's most significant contributions to the Muslim community. He purchased the historic building in 1994, and the centre eventually opened in 2002. It provides a space for Islamic worship, education, community engagement, and interfaith dialogue. The facility has continued to expand its educational activities, including the opening of its Library of Islamic Knowledge in April 2016.
During the interview, Madowo asked whether the discipline and values associated with Olajuwon's faith had contributed to his success both on and off the basketball court. Olajuwon answered in the affirmative, stressing that Islam influences every aspect of his life. He explained that Islam goes beyond religious observances, describing it as a complete way of life.
Olajuwon also discussed displaying his basketball trophies at the Islamic centre, including his 1994 NBA Most Valuable Player award and the NBA Finals MVP awards he won in 1994 and 1995. He prefers to display the trophies at the centre rather than keeping them at home, allowing more people to see them and share his faith and life experiences.
Olajuwon's basketball career is marked by numerous achievements, including leading the Houston Rockets to consecutive NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. He was selected for the NBA All-Star team 12 times and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008. Despite these accomplishments, Olajuwon considers his contribution through the Islamic Dawah Centre a more meaningful legacy.
For Olajuwon, the centre represents an opportunity to serve Allah, strengthen the Muslim community, and share the message of Islam with the wider society. His reflections during the CNN interview show that he considers his faith and the centre a more significant part of his life than his basketball achievements. The centre has become a lasting legacy for the Nigerian-born legend, showcasing his commitment to his faith and community.
Key points
- Olajuwon says the Islamic centre has brought him greater fulfilment than his basketball achievements.
- The centre provides a space for Islamic worship, education, community engagement, and interfaith dialogue.
- Olajuwon's faith influences every aspect of his life, describing Islam as a complete way of life.
