Wilhelm Ott released a video online on Thursday in which he recites the proclamation of Islam, or the “Shahada”, which officially signifies the start of his journey as a Muslim.
“This is my religion, I am a proud Muslim now,” he says in the video.
The fighter noted the global coronavirus pandemic crisis gave him the opportunity to reflect and find his faith in God, saying “Islam has been on his mind for years”.
“But there were also times when I could do nothing with it and I let myself be influenced politically but Islam gave me the necessary strength when I had to go through hard times,” he added.
Ott, who has been boxing professionally since 2008, uploaded a second social media post the following day showing him pictured with the Holy Quran that was reportedly gifted to him by fellow Muslim MMA boxer Burak Kizilirmak.
Ott thanked “the entire Muslim community” for the warm welcome and confirmed he was now preparing for the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan for the first time.
In 2018, Austria triggered outrage after its far-right interior minister announced a crackdown on “political Islam” in the country.
The crackdown follow laws banning the Muslim niqab and a potential ban on girls aged under-10 from wearing the hijab.
Austria’s right-wing government has promised to enact tougher restrictions on immigration and a crackdown on political Islam in the country.
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