Four practicing athletes on how Ramadan transforms their game—and their lives

In a powerful fusion of sport, faith, and cultural heritage, renowned photographer Mous Lamrabat has captured the resilience and determination of four Muslim athletes—Rouguy Diallo, Nader El-Jindaoui, Intisar Abdul-Kader, and Dur Bali—in a new series of images for Nike. These athletes, each a trailblazer in their respective fields, represent not only the spirit of perseverance that comes with the practice of the Ramadan fast but also the intersection of faith and sport.

Respectively, Diallo is the third French triple jumper to win a world junior title for France, El-Jindaoui is a right winger for LA Galaxy, Abdul-Kader has completed all six World Marathon Majors and is the first British-Somali to reach Mount Everest Base Camp, and Bali is notable as being a player in the first women’s Saudi National Basketball Cup. Through the lens of Lamrabat, these figures emerge as embodiments of strength, showcasing the deep-rooted connection between their athleticism and Muslim heritage.

For Rouguy, Nader, Intisar, and Dur, their faith serves as both an anchor and a source of inspiration as they push through physical and mental barriers. The sacred month of Ramadan, in particular, presents a unique challenge to their rigorous training regimens, yet it also reinforces their resilience and determination. Each athlete reflects on how fasting during this time not only sharpens their focus but also deepens their commitment to their craft. Their personal stories of balancing athletic excellence with religious devotion encourages a deeper dialogue on what it truly means to be a practicing Muslim in today’s fast-paced world.

Mous Lamrabat, with his distinct artistic vision, has always been fascinated by the duality of identities—where the past and future converge, where the West meets the East, and the place of the Muslim in the modern world. This unique perspective informs his approach to photographing these athletes, capturing their essence not just as sports figures but as powerful symbols of cultural pride. Through his lens, Lamrabat invites us to meditate upon the strength that lies in embracing one’s roots while striving toward greatness.

In conversation with British-Somali marathon runner, Intisar, Palestinian-German football player, Nader, French-Guinean triple jump Olympian Rouguy, and Saudi Arabian basketball player Dur, we spoke to them about the importance of Ramadan and its impact on them as athletes.

Ramadan is a time of discipline, reflection and renewal. How does this period shift your relationship with movement, not just in sport, but in life?

Rouguy Diallo: In life, Ramadan is truly a time when I focus on my body and spirit. I try to avoid all unnecessary things and distractions. For instance, when I wake up, I try to do Dhikr, and then I pray. After that, I take my Quran and try to read a few pages, because my personal challenge is to read the entire Quran over the 30 days of Ramadan.

Dur Bali: Ramadan slows everything down and makes you appreciate the small things. It forces you to be intentional with your energy—whether it’s training, conversations, or even just moments of stillness. It’s a reminder that movement isn’t just physical; it’s about mindset and purpose.

Nader El-Jindaoui: It’s a time I’m looking forward to throughout the year. I know it’s a tough time. But it’s a refreshing time and you train your discipline and change your life. You have one month. That is very important. It changes your life. It strengthens your discipline. 

Intisar Abdul-Kader: I learn to slow down during the holy month of Ramadan. Life is already fast living in the UK, working in London, everything is go go go. Those 29 or 30 days I allow myself permission to slow down. We wait a whole year for the holy month of Ramadan so why am I going to rush the beauty of it? It’s such a beautiful month so I embrace it by slowing down.

Fasting isn’t just about refraining from but also what you embrace. What do you seek most during Ramadan?

Nader El-Jindaoui: I get cleaner with my food. I try to have more time with the family. To be a better person. To be a much better person. In this month, you are being carried. This month is just like refreshing for me to be a good person for the year

Intisar Abdul-Kader: I say this all the time, I seek patience – it’s one thing I need. Especially as the eldest daughter of an immigrant family, I’m the oldest sister, I’m a running coach, I work in the NHS. It can get very challenging. But you have to remember it’s Ramadan holding your temper is a form of ibadah. I pray for patience all the time especially during Ramadan because we need it!

Rouguy Diallo: I seek forgiveness. I seek resilience and patience. My goal is to keep growing and becoming a better person.

Dur Bali: Clarity. Ramadan strips away distractions, and in that stillness, I find perspective—on the game, on life, on who I want to be.

Ramadan strips things down to their essence. What do you discover about yourself in these moments of stillness and restraint?

Dur Bali: That I’m stronger than I think. When everything is quiet—no food, no distractions—you realize that your mind is your greatest tool. It teaches you patience and gratitude.

Intisar Abdul-Kader: To appreciate the simple things in life. It’s so beautiful, appreciating a simple Iftar meal, appreciating getting ready and going to tarawih, standing next to strangers but praying together.

Rouguy Diallo: It’s truly a month where I allow myself to embrace vulnerability, as throughout the rest of the year, I’m always in a fast-paced mindset, constantly striving to win, always overworking. But during this month, I can slow down and realign with my emotions.

Nader El-Jindaoui: Your body is not just about how fast you run, or how strong you are. You are just as strong as your mind. And this is the best training for your mind. And the whole year, you train your body, but you don’t focus on training your mind and your discipline.

Ramadan is deeply personal, yet profoundly communal. How does the energy of those fasting around you—family, teammates, strangers—shape your own experience?

Intisar Abdul-Kader: Showing up in small ways, but over 30 days those small things add up. Knowing you’ve done amazing things but not keeping tabs on the good things you do and let it flow and let it go. Not worrying I did this today I need to do this tomorrow, just 1% better every day.

Nader El-Jindaoui: In football, in the training, when it’s time to eat, they stop the training. In the game, they stop the game for us. And it’s a big sign that we are all one. You see the respect. It’s incredible. It’s crazy. It’s beautiful. And that’s also what I love, not just how the Muslim community stays together, but also how others respect us and give us love.

Rouguy Diallo: Oh, you know, the best Ramadan I’ve ever experienced was when I was with my family in Guinea because you’re surrounded by loved ones, and everyone is in the same spiritual mindset. When you’re alone, it just doesn’t feel the same.

Dur Bali: It’s powerful. There’s an unspoken bond when you know you’re all pushing through the same struggle together. Whether it’s breaking fast with family or teammates adjusting their training alongside you, that shared experience makes everything more meaningful.