Richmond star Bachar Houli’s mother in ICU battling COVID-19

Richmond premiership star Bachar Houli has urged Melbourne’s Muslim community to get tested after revealing his mother Yamama is in intensive care battling COVID-19.

Richmond premiership hero Bachar Houli has pleaded for Australia’s Muslim community to get tested for COVID-19 after revealing his mother was in hospital battling the virus.

In an emotional video message, Houli said his family was going through a “tough time” with his mother, Yamama, seriously ill in the intensive care unit.

“Her current state is a mixed one. God knows best her situation,” he said.

Houli opted not to join his Richmond teammates in their Queensland hub so he could care for his wife, Rouba, and children including their newborn baby.

“I thought I’d share a very quick message and a reminder for myself and everyone out there and more specifically to the Muslim community out there,” Houli said in the Instagram video posted on Monday.

“I want to share a personal experience with the current situation that we’re all facing out with the COVID-19.

A young Houli with his mum, Yamama, and dad, Malek, on the eve of his debut with Essendon.

“My family has been affected by COVID-19. It’s been tough, it’s been a tough time. When you’re restricted and you’re isolated, it’s very touching.

“More specifically, my mother’s been affected a lot. She’s currently in ICU undergoing some heavy treatment. The team in the ICU is taking care of her. Her current state is a mixed one. God knows best her situation.

“What burns and what hurts truly is the fact that no one from her family members can go and visit her, which is very, very tough. Please put yourselves in this position.

“I don’t want you to feel sorry for me but rather think about in general and think about as it being you and part of your family. Hopefully you can change your mindset about COVID-19. The reality is it is out there.

“I’m experiencing it right now within my family. Please I urge you for the sake of Allah go get tested. If you’re showing any form of symptoms, if you’re not showing any symptoms, please do your bit.”

Houli at his home in Melbourne’s west with his wife, Rouba. Picture: Rebecca Michael

Houli in action on July 5. He did not travel with his teammates to the AFL’s Queensland hub as his mother battles COVID-19. Picture: Getty

Houli, premiership hero. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Houli revealed he’d been tested over 30 times and urged others to follow his lead.

“I’ve been tested over 30 times being a current AFL player, and that’s the protocol. And we had to tick the box. It tickles a little bit, it doesn’t hurt. It’s a very, very quick procedure,” he said.

“Please go to the nearest place and go get tested. Do your best to isolate, and we do our best to wipe out this current pandemic.”

Richmond released a statement saying the club’s staff, players and members were throwing their support behind Houli’s family.

“As a club, we’re continuing to offer Bachar and his family the support they need at this time, and we all hope Yamama recovers from COVID-19 soon,” Richmond’s football manager Tim Livingstone said.

On Monday, Victoria reported 1612 active coronavirus cases, with 72 people in hospital and 17 in intensive care.

Houli, a two-time premiership defender who was named in his first All-Australian team last year, and midfielder Shane Edwards both elected to sit out of football instead of flying to Queensland last week with their teammates.

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