BEIRUT: Photographs of Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah visiting a Buddhist temple in Japan this week — alongside his teammates — have sparked controversy among Egyptians on social media, with some praising Salah’s open-mindedness and others having a different opinion.
As part of their summer tour ahead of the Premier League’s start next month, Liverpool posted a video on their X handle on Monday about their visit to Eko-in Temple, a Jodo-shu Buddhist temple in Tokyo, for what they described as a “bespoke meditation session.”
Some Arabic news websites posted photos of players, including Salah, sitting cross-legged on the temple’s floor while they seemed to be attending a meditation session, which Liverpool said was “guided by a monk.”
Some social media users praised Salah for being culturally curious and respecting and accepting of other religions, while others criticized his visit and considered whether — as an icon for millions in the Arab and Muslim world — he should instead have visited an Islamic center or a mosque in Tokyo.
Several users commented on X that Salah had represented Egypt and the Egyptians in the best way through showing respect and openness toward other cultures and religions.
Others had an opposite viewpoint, saying they would have preferred to have seen Salah visiting a mosque in Tokyo rather than a temple.
One group of users — describing the criticism and controversy as “exaggerated” — said that Liverpool’s visit to the temple had no religious significance but rather fell within the tourist and cultural program of a global sports team.
According to the club’s official website, Liverpool’s tour of Japan included friendly matches and cultural activities aimed at strengthening ties with Japanese fans.
Eko-in Temple is a popular tourist destination in the Japanese capital, distinguished by its traditional architecture and the meditation sessions held there.
