Despite the continual disregard by Islamophobes, millions of Muslims actually make major contributions to Western culture and society.

Using the 2018 FIFA World Cup as a case in point, Muslims excelled in their respected fields and smashed those stereotypes.

Unsurprisingly, the international football tournament has witnessed Muslim footballers play among the elite at different squads, including the final four teams – namely England, France, Belgium, and Croatia.

“You can’t celebrate immigrants on the football pitch and then demonize them in your neighborhoods and at the border,” writes American scholar Khaled Beydoun.

Islamophobes, take note, here are eight Muslim players who made it to the semi-finals of this year’s World Cup:

1. Marouane Fellaini (Belgium)

Born to Moroccan parents, Fellaini was raised in Brussels and plays as a midfielder for the Premier League club Manchester United.

In 2012, Fellaini was named among the World’s Top 100 Footballers by The Guardian, ranking him at No. 60 on the list.

2. Mousa Dembélé (Belgium)

The Belgian-Malian midfielder, who plays for the Premier League’s Tottenham Hotspur F.C., has previously spoken up against Islamic extremists.

“What I know is that these terrorists are enemies that cannot be allowed to win. They can’t claim to be Muslims and dishonour our religion,” he said, following the Brussels suicide bombings in 2016.

3. Adnan Januzaj (Belgium)

The midfielder of Kosovan-Albanian origin plays for the Spanish football club Real Sociedad.

4. Nacer Chadli (Belgium)

Chadli, who is of Moroccan origin, is a forward at West Bromwich Albion F.C.

He notably led the Belgian team to the knockout stage of the World Cup after scoring a remarkable buzzer-beater in the match against Japan.

5. Adil Rami (France)

Also of Moroccan origin, Rami is a central defender at France’s Olympique de Marseille F.C.

6. Paul Pogba (France)

The midfielder, who plays for Manchester United F.C., was born to Guinean parents of Muslim faith and has not shied away from publicly expressing his faith.

7. Djibril Sidibe (France)

The defender of Senegalese origin plays for AS Monaco F.C.

8. Nabil Fekir (France)

The Algerian forward plays for the French club Olympique Lyonnais.

9. Ousmane Dembélé (France)

In a previous interview with Sport English, the 21-year-old forward – who plays in the Spanish league for Barcelona – confirmed that he follows a strict religious diet based on Islamic values and practices.

Dembélé was born in France, his mother is of Mauritanian and Senegalese descent, while his father is from Mali.

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