Mo Mustafa: From refugee to international rugby player - meet the 'Beast from the Middle East’

The Palestinian refugee only started playing rugby in his teens but went on to represent England students

Mohammed Mustafa - refugee, international rugby player and doctor (Instagram/Mohammed Mustafa)

English rugby has always embraced diversity; from flying Alexander Obolensky the Russian prince and international wing, to James Peters the first black player to play wear the Red Rose jersey in 1906.

However few rugby players have as diverse an upbringing as ex-Leeds Carnegie and England students prop forward Mohammed Mustafa. The 25-year-old refugee rose from rugby novice to international honours via Middle Eastern origins and an upbringing in Middlesbrough.

Born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia to parents who are both refugees from the Gaza strip it wasn’t until age four that Mustafa moved to the UK. Speaking to The Independent he said “I left Saudi at two and went to live in Jordan with my mum’s parents until I was four.

“At that time my dad was working as a doctor in England but we were not allowed over until he had a permanent post

“My dad grew up initially in Palestine but in the 1960s the Israeli settlers displaced him and his family so they left with nothing but the clothes on their back and walked and crossed the border to Jordan.”

Moving to the UK as a Palestinian refugee with Egyptian statehood, Mo settled in Middlesbrough in the Northeast where he began to accustomise to British life. Being both foreign and a large child when he was growing up, 6ft 2in and over 100kg as a teenager, Mustafa struggled to fit in at school. Speaking to EnglandRugby.com he explained. “I went to school in quite a rough area. I was bullied a lot and was really struggling to fit in.

“By the time I was 15 I had got myself in enough trouble that the head teacher expelled me halfway through my GCSEs. I felt completely disillusioned with the opportunities available to me and was struggling to find my place.”

Mo (centre) with his parents and two sisters (Mo Mustafa)

It wasn’t until he discovered rugby at Yarm School in Stockton that Mo began to feel that he had found the right platform to fit in and express himself. In an almost impossible rise he went from never having picked up a rugby ball to county prop in the space of six months. He was also invited to train with England Under-16s, although he had to wait a litlle longer for his first taste of international rugby.

His ascent into the elite echelons of the game continued whilst at the University of Liverpool where he was following the footsteps of his father in studying medicine. “Sale saw me while I was playing and asked me to turn out in an academy game against Leicester with the likes of George Ford and Manu Tuilagi playing against me. It was my first exposure at that sort of level and I was given man-of-the-match.”

Before long he achieved international recognition; being selected by England students in a fixture against France Universities. ““Being a refugee I never thought I would get this chance. My family all came to watch and it was amazing, if a bit surreal. My dad told me after the game that he was proud of me, it’s the first time he had said that and it meant a lot.”

 

A photo posted by Mohammed Mustafa (@bigmo_beastfromtheeast) on Nov 2, 2014 at 12:30pm PST

And during University he even had time to twin his studies with a professional contract at Leeds Carneige for the 2011-12 season. “I would get up at 4.30am drive to Leeds, train with the team and get back for 2pm. In the afternoon I’d be on ward rounds and placement.

“To be honest I just saw it as a huge privilege. On Friday’s I would be assisting in surgery in the morning and then in the evening I would be playing at Headingley in front of a huge crowd”

The irrepressible prop settled into a Leeds team where he played alongside former England and Lions hooker Andy Titterall and current England fly-half George Ford. With over 20 appearance for the Yorkshire side he soon earned the nickname the 'Beast from the Middle East' alongside a burgeoning fan club.

Despite his prowess with the oval ball Mo eventually decided to choose a medical career ahead of rugby, partly due to recurring injuries. Asked if he would ever consider going back into elite sports Mo told us “I think about it all the time if I should play sports at elite level or not”

“It's a big part of my life and, as a refugee, gave me a place of belonging which I never had. If someone gave me the chance now I’ve recovered from my injuries I would have to think about it.

The 25-year-old is now a doctor in Glasgow, where he now only takes part in individual sports such as Jiu jitsu. Growing up as a Muslim in Britain can be difficult, and Mo admits that often role models aren’t visible in British society. “I think Muslims have an identity crisis in England and when I'm in the Middle East they call me the Englishman but when I'm here they call me the Arab.

“Living between two different cultures is difficult but I feel negative media images of Muslims along with xenophobia can alienate communities. Sometimes growing up I’ve experienced hate but I think there are enough role models and good guys out there, just not enough of a limelight for them”

Whilst there are few Muslim’s in professional rugby, Mustafa thinks that one in particular is a shining example. “Sonny Bill Williams is the most prominent guy I can think of. At the last World Cup, with his humility and sportsmanship, he really showed the world what being a Muslim is all about.

“I really do admire him as a player and a man and how he has turned his life around it really shows what you can achieve”

With the refugee crisis firmly imbued in the public’s consciousness and tension being inflamed by radical groups abroad. It is stories like Mo’s that will continue to reaffirm the sanctity of sport and the power of good it can enact in communities.