Murtzcellanious: Murtz Jaffer Interviews Bilal Abdul-Mani From The Amazing Race 10

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An interesting interview with one of the members of the first teams eliminated on The Amazing Race 10. Bilal Abdul-Mani opens up about his faith and the experience.


Murtz Jaffer: Salaam. Bilal, let’s begin by asking why you decided to apply for the Race?

Bilal Abdul-Mani: Wa Laikum Salaam Wa Rahmatullahi Tala Wa Barakatu! Well first I thought what would be a good way to give da’waah to many people at once! Of course due to the fact that there is so many problems throughout the work I wanted to be an aid as it refers to breakng down the walls of ignorance! I felt even though I do not watch much TV that this may be a way that the world can maybe be curious about the wonderful deen of al-Islaam! If they see good in Sayeed and I it may open up the eyes of just one individual that may have no idea what the Nabi Sallahu Alaihi Wa Salaam came with for all of mankind!

MJ: You both served in the military. What made you decide to serve your country and what did you do while you were enlisted?

BA: To be totally honest my experience in the United States Navy was something that I thank Allahu Tala for! Would I do it again the answer would be NO! Was it good for my faith? At the time I would say no!! But I went into the Navy only because I wanted training in the Medical Field! My vehicle was wrecked by one of my brothers in faith and I had no transportation back and forth to work!! At the time the adults around me(men) did not advice me to really think hard about this because it may be hard to follow the deen of Allahu Tala and serve in the Navy. One it’s a way of life (Islaam) and being in the Navy your life (so to speak) is ran by the Government! So Alhumdullilah I was able to serve 5 1/2 years and at the end of my contract I did not re-enlist!

I was an OtoRhinoLarygology Technician (ears, nose and throat) I assisted the surgeons in surgery.

MJ: Bilal, do you think the way that you went out was fair? It was the first time that a team got eliminated before an official Pit Stop.

BA: Yes I do believe it was fair because it was organized and agreed upon by WRP! It was the decree of Allahu Tala that we did not go further so I’m grateful to his will!

MJ: Bilal, would you have raced harder knowing that it was an elimination point?

BA: I do believe we ran and did all we can do! At the task of eating the fish eyes we were ahead of 2 teams! By the time we were in front of the Forbidden City (of course we did not know it was right in front of us) 2 teams were still behind us! The funny thing is it amazed me that our driver did not know where the Forbidden City was!!!! Wow that was really amazing I believe that guy needs another job!!!

MJ: Bilal, if you could go back and do anything differently”¦ what would you do?

BA: Nothing. My trust was with Allahu Tala and I believe we did all we can do!!

MJ: Bilal, it’s Ramadan”¦ the Muslim fasting month. Are you both fasting and would you have fasted during the Race if the timing was the same?

BA: Alhumdullilah Hir Rabbil Alameen for this blessed month!!! Yes I’ve been fasting since puberty I’m 37 years old now!! So I’ve been fasting for the past 23 years!!!! Yes I would have fasted if the race was during the same time!! I’m not sure if Sayeed would have as we do not have to if we were travellers! I would have attempted unless it would have caused a hardship on me!!

Sayeed and I will be visiting Singapore in the near future!! If possible may we have your contact numbers and maybe e-mail address as we would like to stay in touch with you all! I explained to Sayeed that Singapore was the most peaceful country I’ve every had the chance to visit!! Also when this article is written is it possible to send us a copy!! Thank you very Much!

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Tala Wa Barakatu!

Sir Linksalot: The Amazing Race

Murtz Jaffer is the world's foremost reality television expert and was the host of Reality Obsessed which aired on the TVTropolis and Global Reality Channels in Canada. He has professional writing experience at the Toronto Sun, National Post, TV Guide Canada, TOROMagazine.com and was a former producer at Entertainment Tonight Canada. He was also the editor at Weekendtrips.com.