Is Kyrie Irving a Muslim or Christian? Unveiling The NBA Star's Religion

Kyrie Irving is a Muslim and he has been open about the fact that he practices the Islamic religion. The NBA star once stated that he is committed to Islam and other religions while asserting that he is a part of the Muslim community.

Before he reportedly converted to Islam in 2021, Kyrie was considered a Christian. The point guard seems to be open to several religious practices as he once burned sage in a Native American religious practice known as smudging. All of these have had the NBA community and the public at large seeking to know what religion Kyrie identifies with. It’s as though he doesn’t want to be religiously boxed-in but of late, he has identified more with Islam.

Is Kyrie Irving a Muslim?

Kyrie Irving is a Muslim and has never shied away from letting the world know about this. Although much isn’t known about the religious beliefs he was raised with, he was widely considered a Christian until April 2021. Around that time, it circulated online that the point guard had converted to Islam and was observing Ramadan fasting.

Being the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is observed by Muslims across the globe as a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection on God’s will for humanity. Before the rumors of his conversion to Islam, Kyrie had made several tweets crediting Allah as the one in charge of all matters. People were skeptical about what to believe until the NBA player confirmed that he had indeed embraced the religion. This was on the 23rd of April 2021.

Speaking in a postgame conference, the point guard confirmed that he was indeed observing Ramadan. Kyrie Irving said he was happy to be part of the Muslim community, adding that taking part in Ramadan is an adjustment committed to his service to God. The NBA star pointed out that he is committed to Islam, to all races, cultures, and religions. From all he said, it seems he is open to exploring other religions as well. But since then, he has mostly identified with Islam.

Kyrie recently converted to Islam and is taking part in Ramadan this month where Muslims fast every day. People are bashing him for taking games off without understanding why. pic.twitter.com/yqLPbyqCqp

— Ball Town (@balltownglory) April 13, 2021

Kyrie Irving Had Been Previously Described as a Devout Christian

Before it emerged that the NBA star had converted to Islam, he had been described in some quarters as a devout Christian. The religion is widely believed to be the faith he was born and brought up in. But back in 2017, he left many curious about his faith when he stated that he doesn’t get into “the hoopla on Christmas”.

His comment stirred some reactions online and was followed by reports on several platforms that described him as a devout Christian. These reports linked him to Carl Lentz, a famous pastor at New York City’s Hillsong church. It was inferred that the celebrity pastor was some sort of a spiritual guardian to the American basketball player. Kyrie reportedly sought his advice when he was looking to part ways with the Cleveland Cavaliers to break free from LeBron James’ shadows.

Kyrie Irving Has Also Practiced Smudging

One of the reasons people have continued to ask questions about Kyrie Irving’s religion after he publicly identified with Islam is the fact that he practices smudging. From what we gathered, smudging is a rite that involves the burning of sacred herbs and is peculiar to the Indigenous people of the Americas.

In January 2022 while he was still playing for the Brooklyn Nets, he reportedly burned some sage in the locker room. It was said that he did this to dispel negative energy from frolicking around him. According to reports, this contributed to the uneasy relationship between him and James Harden. The point guard is believed to have picked up this ritual from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, his late mother’s side of the family. She was an African American and Lakota woman.

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