I can relate to this statement because it gets hard. However, the author portrays the strong bond between the boys by showing how they lift eachother up and motivate eachother that its only a couple more hours left. You need people around you to help you get through it. Throughout this whole thing, the author showcases how they are constantly with good people, coaches, teammates, etc.

It's really nice that he is surrounded by other fellow Muslims, so they all are in it together. I think the author was definitely trying to make it obvious that even though Ali had really strong beliefs, he wasn't fasting and doing things alone. He had many people like him, which always makes it easier.

I really love this because I personally know in this day and age, many people who are religious, drop their beliefs sometimes to do certain things, or go against what they believe shouldn't be done, to please people or have fun or do what they want. However, something as important as winning this game to Ali, doesn't even matter if he is disobeying Allah, and that is so amazing.

I think it's amazing that he would play even during Ramadan. It is so difficult, sometimes, to do the smallest tasks, without getting hungry and/or thirsty. The fact that he is dedicated to his beliefs and his game is really inspiring.

I love this part since it creates strong emotion. It shows that their connections have grown so strong that even side people feel apart of this family and have bonds that are unbreakable.

Constantly keep talking about replacing players and teammates. This shows how sad and bitter it is since certain people have died and they've lost many people, but they still keep going and accept the people who replace the others.

I think that this shows some doubted the idea of there being a team since there weren't enough people. However, his response shows that it didn't really affect him and they had a strong positive mindset that no matter what, they're doing it and continuing on what they've always been doing. This shows the importance to them.

This shows their strong and tight knit connection with eachother. He says that they were always together and with that being said, they enjoyed it all. I think this shows that on a team, you grow close relationships with people and being around them is always fun.

This continues showing their persistence in continuing on tradition. Despite the fact they have a rough cough and it can hurt them/make it difficult for them to play, he says at the end that "It's tradition" so they are going to do it no matter what.