Peace be upon you - a footballer from Moscow about the place of Islam in his life.
Assalamu alaikum! Former CSKA midfielder, now playing for the Moscow club "Rodina," Astemir Gordyushenko talked about his faith and how Islam affects his daily life.
Astemir is 28 years old, and he's from Kabardino-Balkaria. His dad is Russian, served in the army, and ended up in the republic for that. “That’s where dad met mom, and that’s where I was born. In our region, most people are Muslims, and in my family, my grandma and uncle were especially close to religion - they raised me in that way. Even now, religion and family remain the most important things for me,” the footballer says.
He added that his faith in Allah and following the tenets help him find inner peace: “I feel lighter, it doesn’t take long for me to get to harmony. I try to do what I'm supposed to: I pray five times a day. In winter, the daylight is shorter, and the intervals between prayers are too, so sometimes I even have to pray during a match break, not too far from the locker room.”
Astemir also talked about Ramadan: “During the month of Ramadan, I fast. This year it fell in March, right when the season was at stake - but I managed. The days were short, not too hot, although closer to the end of the month, I felt more tired. But fasting is not just about food; it’s also about spiritual restraint.”
The author of the story noted that for him, Islam is a source of inner strength and guidance in life. Wishing him good luck in his career and blessings from Allah!
https://islamnews.ru/2025/10/3