Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – Former football player Jose Ignacio Peleteiro, known as Jota, has converted to Islam after the Muslim family of a close friend inspired him, Kuwaiti daily Al Qabas reported on Friday.
The athlete gave an explanation of how he converted to Islam, saying that his attention was led to the Islamic teachings by the ways his Kuwaiti friend Faisal Buresli’s family treated everyone.
Another reason that drove the 32-year-old player to convert to Islam is his friendship with Buresli that has lasted eleven years, which led Jota to embrace the new faith without his friend directly inviting him to do so.
Al Qabas reported the story of the Spanish player’s conversion to Islam, supported by a video of Jota and his friend Faisal Buresli.
After pronouncing the profession of faith, Jota said in an interview with Al Qabas: “I am so happy, so powerful. I am in the best moments of my life. I love his family [Buresli’s family] so much.”
“I want to pass on to my family and future generations the customs and traditions I saw at my friend Buresli’s house. They have changed my life,” Jota said.
For his part, Buresli said that Jota decided to visit Kuwait in 2023 to familiarize himself with Kuwaiti society. “Then, two months ago, he spoke with me and informed me of his desire to convert. I did not expect that from him, so I was astonished,” Buresli stated.
The player started his career with Celta de Vigo’s academy in 2010, before moving on loan to Real Madrid’s academy in 2012-2013, and then to SD Eibar in the 2013-2014 season.
Jota gained more experience in England, starting with Brentford FC from 2014 to 2017. He then played for Birmingham City from 2017 to 2019, and Aston Villa between 2019-2020.
At the end of his career, Jota defended the colors of Deportivo Alaves in 2021, and was close to signing for a Saudi Arabian league team in October 2022, but decided instead to retire.
Read also: Arsenal’s Thomas Partey Says Moroccan Partner Behind His Conversion to Islam
