Olajuwon tribute revisited The Rockets have had to make some major changes in their plans to erect a statue honoring Hakeem Olajuwon outside the new downtown arena. Rockets owner Leslie Alexander announced the plans to honor Olajuwon at Olajuwon's retirement ceremony. Olajuwon had already given his blessing before the announcement was made. But in the months that have followed, Olajuwon has become uncomfortable with the idea over conflicts with his religious principles. The team, however, still plans to honor the greatest player in franchise history. The artist who created the Michael Jordan statue outside the United Center normally does more abstract work and could do a sculpture that would be more of an artistic rendition of Olajuwon's career. The organization could also opt for a two-dimensional likeness of Olajuwon. Rockets president George Postolos has met with Olajuwon and his spiritual adviser to be sure that anything that is done does not conflict with Olajuwon's beliefs. -- JONATHAN FEIGEN
Olajuwon should appreciate what he has and accept his role as a legend in the game...even if it does mean bobble heads and statues. I'm sure playing basketball and making millions isn't exactly in line with his religion either but I don't see him having problems with that.
Exactly! He shouldn't be living a normal life! He should be hating America, donating his money to terrorists and beating his wife!
its comments like this that make the world hate us. can you turn down the shaq-isms and just keep it private, please?
I hope they build that statue still. COme on Hakeem! Its just a statue! You deserve it! It would make the new arena so nice!
Shame on Hakeem for standing by his religious beliefs. I can't believe the dumb **** comments posted in this thread.
If it is forbidden by his religion, than we shold accept is, and try to honor him in a other way BTW Free Agent, to bad you misspelled his name
Depends on who you ask. Many muslims will tell you differently: link That's like saying "alcohol is forbidden in christianity" because Mormons don't drink it.
What the hell? Erecting images of people is, or can be seen as contrary to the beliefs of Islam...playing basketball and making money are not and can not, as long as he abides by the complicated Third Pillar. I'm sorry, but you're point is, IMO, non-existent...and dismissive of this man's incredible devotion to his faith, general class, and contribution to society in general, and Muslims in particular. Are you arguing that he should put aside his religious priorities for the sake of our esthitic satisfaction?
What am I saying eactly? <B>I am saying Hakeem is a hypocrite for playing in the NBA based on his religious beliefs.</B> Everyone knows that if you play in the NBA that there are hundred of fans who bring camera's who take your picture (which is against Hakeem’s religion). So what exactly is Hakeem doing? He is exposing himself each and every time on the court knowing very well that people are taking his picture. If he was so devout to his religion then why is he willingly exposing himself to such horrible things not just once but over many years? <B>No, I am NOT arguing he should put aside his religious priorities. <I>In fact, I am arguing that his religious believes should be his first priority.</I> However, it seems to me that Mr. Hakeem Olajuwon has been putting his religious beliefs aside for so many years just to play basketball and make millions of dollars. Which I find quiet profane.</B> So my friend, you have missed the point. Mr. Hakeem Olajuwon has lost all credibility to essentially argue and now stand behind his religious beliefs. If he truly believed in his religion and was so devout he would not have played in the NBA. There is a pretty high correlation between playing in the NBA and becoming a celebrity, which includes (pictures, boobleheads, statues, being on TV) I don't dislike Hakeem. I just dislike Hypocrites. I am impugning your comments because your comments are invective and slander my comments without truly understanding or willing to understand what I’m referring to.
Everybody practices religion differently. Just because you claim to pracitce a religion doesn't mean you have to follow it to a T. If Hakeem is uncomfortable, religiously, with a staute of him, than he is. How can anybody possibly say that that is being hypocritical?
I agree with xtrepidationx in the following sens: The so-called "prohibition" on images in islam, followed by certain sects, such as radical wahabbis who blow up stautes and cut people out of photographs, is, from what I can gather, based on a strained interpretation of a portion of the Qu'ran which prohibits the making of false idols and such. Therefore, for Hakeem to have partaken in a fifteen year basketball career, in which he was literally worshipped and idolized by us as a basketball god, aided by the repeated transmittal of his image across the glove; and where he made millions of dollars off of endorsements and such, again, all based on his image, seems, at least to me, like it would be as offensive, if not more so, to the "anti-idols" provision of a certain intrpretation of Islam as would the making of a statue in his image.
Just accept whatever Hakeem decides, I'd really like to see a statue in downtown. If not thats okay I saw two championship runs because of Dream thats good enough for me.
