Emotional scenes as Ward suffers injury
AFL: GWS player Callan Ward has suffered a shock injury to his right knee during the clash with Richmond, being helped off the field in emotional scenes as it is widely expected to be his final season playing in the AFL.
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SBS Australia
19 minutes ago
- SBS Australia
Performing Hajj was a 'turning point' in Faraz's life, now he helps Australians make the holy journey
Each year, millions of Muslims from around the world like Faraz Nomani travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. Credit: AP / Rafiq Maqbool / Faraz Nomani Sydney-based Faraz Nomani is about to attend his third Hajj, also facilitating the pilgrimage of a group of 50 others. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a life goal of the world's estimated 2.05 billion Muslims. Pilgrims face searing heat and long walks as part of completing the Hajj in Saudi Arabia. It is understood between 3,000 and 4,000 pilgrims will travel to Hajj from Australia. Faraz Nomani was 28 when he embarked on his first Hajj — the sacred Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca — and he says it was a turning point in his life. "It was an extremely emotional time for me," Faraz recalls. 'Particularly, my oldest son had just been diagnosed with autism. It was quite a tricky period of life." The 35-year-old Australian was born in Saudi Arabia and wasn't a stranger to the Muslim holy city, with childhood memories of performing a smaller pilgrimage (Umrah), and even a honeymoon pilgrimage to Mecca. But, Faraz says the sheer number of people and the peak day during Hajj — the Day of Arafat, when people gather on a mountainous plain to pray and offer supplications — made it different altogether from other pilgrimages. "It's really the emotional apex of a person's life in Islam. ... It's a huge day of renewal, renewing your intention to be a better family person, a better Muslim, a better community member. "To experience that at that age, it really was a turning point in my life." Now, years later, Faraz, a risk consultancy professional living in Sydney, is not just a pilgrim but a guide. Having performed Hajj twice before, this year he is leading a group of 50 Australian Muslims to the pilgrimage. Their group is called Al Bait Guests Australia. An estimated 3,000-4,000 Australians are expected to travel to Mecca for Hajj this year, which will take place from 4-9 June. The Muslim pilgrimage is one of the largest mass gatherings in the world, with over 1.83 million people congregating in Mecca in 2024, according to the Saudi Arabian government. Faraz's role for the group is multifaceted: a facilitator, a spiritual guide, and even a media and content manager, armed with gear to capture and share the profound journey with a wider audience on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The Hajj, one of the five foundational pillars of Islam, holds immense significance in the religion. It is obligatory for all Muslims at least once in a lifetime, if they are physically and financially capable. Historically, it was an arduous, months-long overland journey, a feat beyond the reach of most. "Now in the modern day with modern travel," Faraz says, "it's actually become very doable for most people. And the only thing that prevents them is the financial aspect." And the financial cost is substantial. While the visa itself cost only a couple of hundred dollars, the all-inclusive packages range from $15,000 to $35,000 per person, Faraz said. These bundles cover flights, hotels, and the extensive logistics of navigating the sacred cities. The price of the package depends on the level of comfort pilgrims seek in terms of accommodations and their proximity to the Kaaba, the black cube at the epicentre of Muslim prayer. The core rituals of Hajj spans only five days. However, most Australians extend their stay, often for two to three weeks, to immerse themselves in Mecca and Medina, the latter being the city where Prophet Muhammad established the first Islamic government. Leading a group of people, especially one with varying needs, is a "gargantuan task", Faraz acknowledged. The challenges are significant, with overcrowding remaining a major concern. "The behaviour of [some] pilgrims ... is a huge challenge sometimes," he explained, describing the jostling and shoving of millions of devout individuals, all desperate to get as close as possible to the Kaaba. Touching the black cube itself is a rare feat, though, Faraz said, as most pilgrims aren't physically capable of navigating "the world's largest mosh pit". "You've got people like six foot seven inches ... and then you've got [people who are] five foot tall. It's not going to happen. So most Muslims do not get anywhere close to [the black cube]." Then there is the heat. Saudi Arabian summers can see temperatures soar between 40C and 50C. "It is ridiculously hot," Faraz says. The sheer physical exertion required to perform the Hajj is immense. On the Day of Arafat, pilgrims could walk anywhere from 20 to 50 kilometres in the scorching heat. Faraz himself had clocked 40 kilometres two years prior. This demanding physical aspect requires weeks of preparation, with pilgrims aiming for 20,000 steps a day in their training. The Saudi government, after past incidents like the heat-related deaths last year, are set to significantly step up efforts to mitigate risks, providing industrial-scale cooling fans and free water. SBS contacted the Saudi embassy in Australia for information but has not yet received a response. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), offers consular assistance to Australians in case of emergencies. "From advice on permits to information on safety and security, taking care of your health, local laws and customs and entry and exit into Saudia Arabia, Smartraveller should be Australians' first destination," the spokesperson said. Saudi Arabia sets national quotas for each country by allocating a specific number of annual pilgrimage slots according to the average size of the resident Muslim population. Australia's Hajj quota, though ostensibly 1,000 people based on population ratios, is often exceeded. "Australians can afford it a lot more than other people around the world," Faraz says, indicating that Australia often picked up unused allocations from other countries. The planning for Hajj begins months in advance. For this year's pilgrimage, packages were confirmed by mid-April, but information sessions and online seminars had commenced as early as January, making it a four to five-month process just to secure a place. Faraz says he is not just guiding people through a series of rituals but also facilitating a profound spiritual journey, sharing a privilege he himself had experienced. "For those who get the chance to go multiple times as I'm getting, it's just you're more and more thankful each time you go for the opportunity. "A great memory that I have is the [Day of Arafat] culminating at sunset, which is when it all ends. That was the highlight. That's the highlight for whoever [had performed Hajj] will tell you." Share this with family and friends Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Urdu-speaking Australians. Once you taste the flavours from Pakistan, you'll be longing for the cuisine.
News.com.au
27 minutes ago
- News.com.au
‘He might have cried': Nathan Cleary braces for ‘weird' showdown with Jarome Luai as great mates prepare for first NRL meeting
Nathan Cleary has beaten Jarome Luai in a World Cup final and recalls being part of 'the biggest upset in junior footy history' when they were teenagers coming through the Penrith system, but on Sunday the great mates will come up against each other for the first time in the NRL. 'It will be weird,' Cleary said after leading Penrith to victory over Parramatta on Sunday with a couple of huge plays in the final 20 minutes. Cleary and Luai were the Batman and Robin for so long, with the pair putting on the cape time and time again to thwart any team foolish enough to get in their way at the business end of the season. They won four premierships together and formed a bond for life as one of the most successful halves pairings in rugby league history, but the band has broken up with Luai now at the Wests Tigers where he's gone from the support act to the main man. It's been an interesting few months apart, with the Panthers finally getting off the bottom of the table, while Luai has seen halves partner Lachlan Galvin leave to join the Bulldogs. It sets up an enthralling clash on Sunday between two teams separated by just one point where two best friends will line up against each other for the first time since Australia beat Samoa in the 2022 World Cup final. 'I think there's just always that mutual respect there,' Cleary said. 'We don't talk all the time, but whenever we do or whenever we see each other, it's always love. You'll never be able to take away what we've been able to achieve together. It's always respect and love whenever we see each other. 'The last time I remember playing him was the World Cup final and before that, we would've been about 16 (when) he was playing for St Marys and I was playing for Brothers (Penrith). 'We had a few duels back then but obviously it's been a long time. I'm looking forward to it. 'He's an outstanding player and you want to test yourself against the best. It will be a bit weird at NRL level but I'm looking forward to it.' Cleary remembers enjoying a shock victory over Luai back when they were kids. 'I do remember probably the biggest upset in junior footy history, we beat them one day and they were stacked. They were so good. He might have cried,' Cleary laughed. 'I'm not sure that'll happen again. 'They used to beat us just about 50-0 every time they played us and one day we got them.' The battle of the sevens will test how far Luai has come as a chief playmaker, with the Samoan star taking the reins at Penrith last year when Cleary was injured. And while he'll want his footy to do the talking, Cleary won't be shocked if Luai's sharp tongue fires up on Sunday. 'Maybe, we'll see (if there's chirp). I don't really start the chirp but if he starts it then we'll see how it is,' he said. 'Last year really prepped him well for this year. His hands are on the ball a lot for the Tigers at the moment. Why wouldn't you? He's such a great player. 'Just his energy alone has lifted a lot of players around him. That's probably his greatest asset. 'I tune in for the Tigers boys I know well, obviously Tito (Sunia Turuva), Terrell May and Romey (Luai) in particular. 'I always enjoy watching them and keeping an eye out on them. It's been good to see them playing some good footy, particularly when they've got momentum, they're one of the best teams in the comp.' Sunday's showdown will be Cleary's second game back after helping the Blues to a pivotal win in the State of Origin opener in Brisbane. It was an emotional return for a man who missed last year's series through injury, and while he ran the ball brilliantly, Cleary had a very rare off night with the boot as he sprayed several conversions that he would normally nail. The Cleary of old would have obsessed over that and spent the next few days trying to fix everything at training, but he limited himself to 15 attempts on Saturday to not overstrain his hamstrings. It paid off as he landed two clutch conversions from out wide to go with a late 40/20 to see off the Eels. 'I think that's where a bit of evolution has come in,' he said, adding that 'physical reps become embedded in the subconscious' after so many years of practice. 'In the past I would have had as many kicks as I could (on Saturday), but being a bit older and looking after my body, I didn't have too many kicks. 'I need to have a few to flush it a bit, but I can rely on the training I've done. I've kicked so many goals in my life that I can take confidence out of that and rely on that a bit more. 'I just wanted to slow down a bit, and I'm glad that I had a few pressure kicks today so I could practise them.'
Daily Telegraph
32 minutes ago
- Daily Telegraph
2025 Langer Trophy live stream: Mabel Park SHS v Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Round 1
Don't miss out on the headlines from Schoolboy Cup Livestream. Followed categories will be added to My News. Palm Beach Currumbin ace Taj Lateo has been handed the reins to run the Reds, as the NRL Schoolboys Cup champions kick start their title defence against a resurgent Mabel Park. The opening round clash will be exclusively live streamed on KommunuityTV as part of a huge triple header along with the Walters Cup (Year 10) and Queensland Schoolgirls Cup action on Wednesday. The Queensland Schoolgirls Cup clash, which features 2023 national champions Mabel Park, will be free to watch, while a full News Corp digital subscription will be required to watch the other matches on Wednesday. Fresh off his selection at five-eighth for the Queensland state side, the pressure will be on young gun Lateo to step up. He will assume full control of the Reds following a cruel pre-season injury blow to experienced playmaker Marley McLaren and the graduation of 2024 Peter Sterling Medallist Zane Harrison. McLaren will aim to be back for the finals, but in the meantime Lateo will assume the senior halves' role. PBC SHS players Marley McLaren and Taj lateo with Broncos legend Kevin Walters after the school won the Walters Cup in 2022. McLaren is again injured and Lateo will be the senior half. It is not the first time Lateo has run the show. He was also the senior half and captain of PBC's 2022 Walters Cup-winning side after McLaren went down with a wrist injury. 'He will run the team and will be fine,'' PBC SHS coach Tim Maccan said. 'He did that for South Coast recently, he took the steering wheel and managed really well. 'At Mal Meninga Cup level, he stepped in this season when Zane Harrison and Javon Andrews were out (for Tweed Seagulls).'' Mabel Park SHS coach Ben Weston said starting strongly was crucial in the Langer Trophy this season. Mabel will field a crack edge division, with strike centres JZ Perenara and Dean Tauaa teaming with Majah Peachey and DJ Talaepa on their respective sides of the field. TEAMS Mabel Park SHS: 1 David Filo, 2 Quinn Timperon, 3 JZ Perenara, 4 Dean Tauaa, 5 Maz Burns, 6 Pouakai Williams, 7 Nehemiah Vavau, 8 Braddock Taylor, 9 Ezra Leota, 10 Harrison Bath, 11 Majah Peachey, 12 DJ Talaepa, 13 Natu Leota, 14 Tai Kapaith, 15 Dom Ierome, 16 Jakyea TeHuia, 17 Boston Cochrane. 18th Tipene Cooley PBC SHS: 1 Cribb, Kaea, 2 Watkins, Dylan, 3 Bates-Wellington, Devin, 4 Tata, Gad, 5 Handyside, Levi, 6 Fife, Max, 7 Lateo, Taj, 8 Jackson, Torino, 9 Bilish, Jai, 10 Fa'Aoso, Josiah, 11 Dangerfield, Cruz, 12 Barry, Marlie, 13 Mulheran, Billy, 14 White, Jack, 15 Aitken, Cohen, 16 Mosaati, Malakai, 17 Partridge, Riley. 18th: Alcorn, Ethan Langer Cup schoolboy rugby league qualifying games. Mabel Park State High School V Caloundra State High School. Picture: Patrick Woods. With the competition's finals format reworked to only include the top five sides this season, it meant an early season slip up could prove costly down the line. 'There is more pressure (on teams to perform),' Weston said. 'We have tough a start in PBC and Keebra, and we'd like to jag one or two of those two, if not both. 'The competition is so close you will also need a good for and against to help you out.' The Langer Trophy will be exclusively live streamed on the Courier Mail and across all News Corp Australia digital mastheads as part of KommunityTV's unbeaten coverage of the NRL Schools League competitions. Originally published as 2025 Langer Trophy live stream: Mabel Park SHS v Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Round 1
