Essendon had significant representation for the Bachar Houli Foundation’s Iftar Dinner at the MCG on Tuesday night, with Huss El Achkar, Saad El-Hawli, CEO Tim Roberts and several staff members on hand to support the event.
A focal point was a special snippet of Paul Kennedy’s ABC documentary film Playing on a Prayer, which highlighted the journey of close friends and Essendon NGA products El Achkar and Adam Sweid throughout their draft year in 2025.
The documentary touches on key themes of belief, with the close relationships of the players to their families and the Islamic faith at the forefront.
El Achkar was joined by his mother Aicha, as well as Sweid’s mother Jo on stage for a panel discussion hosted by Kennedy, looking at their first months in the AFL system.
WATCH THE FULL DOCUMENTARY ON ABC IVIEW HERE
El-Hawli, there in support as both a teammate and former alumni of the BHF, spoke to the importance of the night and his pride in ‘young brother’ El Achkar.
“It was definitely a proud moment seeing a young brother make it to the elite level,” El-Hawli said.
“It was equally exciting to see how much it means to his family, just like how it meant for mine to see me drafted.
“If you ask any participant that has been involved in the BHF, they’d all agree that it helps them develop into young professionals and helps build elite standards from a young age.
“I know it greatly benefited me and will do the exact same for the next generation, like Huss and those who’ll follow in his footsteps too.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BACHAR HOULI FOUNDATION HERE
