Bachar Houli

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**Bachar Houli**
Personal information

Birth	May 12, 1988 (1988-05-12) (age 20),
Recruited from	Western Jets (TAC Cup)
Height and weight	180.7cm, 88.5kg
Playing career¹
Debut	May 11, 2007, Essendon Bombers vs. North Melbourne Football Club, at Telstra Dome
Team(s)	Essendon Bombers (2007-) 4 games, 3 goals
¹ Statistics to end of 2007 season
Career highlights

Bachar Houli (Arabic: بشار الحولي, /ˈbæʃɚ ˈhʉliː/ in Australian English) (born 12 May 1988) is an Australian rules footballer.

Houli plays as a midfielder and was drafted at pick 42 in the 2006 National Draft to the Essendon Football Club in the AFL. He is the first devout Muslim to play at AFL level^[1].

His parents migrated from Lebanon, but Houli was born in Australia. He played junior football with Spotswood under 12s.^[2]

After consulting with a Sheikh, Houli decided to break his Ramadan fast for three days during the physical endurance tests at the AFL Draft Camp; this allowed him to record sufficient times to impress recruiters and be a viable selection in the draft.

Bachar played four games for the Bombers in 2007 and kicked three goals. After his impressive performances in the Bombers 2008 NAB Cup he was selected for the Bombers round 1 team to play the Kangaroos. He played an important part in helping the Bombers secure a 55 point victory and received the first round nomination for the AFL Rising Star award.^[3]

Bachar has become a leading influence for many young Australian Muslims; his dedication and commitment to his AFL career has enabled him to become a primary figure in his Muslim community.