Based in Houston, Jamal Daniel oversees a portfolio of investment holdings and is also director of The Levant Foundation, which focuses on furthering knowledge and appreciation of the Middle East’s monotheistic religions. As head of Al-Monitor, Jamal Daniel also oversees a media company known for its unbiased regional perspectives. A February 2021 Al-Monitor feature explored a unique Egyptian football team, the Je Suis (I Am) Club, which was founded by Christian soccer pro Mina Bendary. The impetus for the team came when Bendary joined the Alexandrian Union Club of the Egyptian Football Association in 2015 and was asked to take a non-Christian name, “Ibrahim,” instead of Mina. After six months on the squad Bendary, facing questions from his church and colleagues, left to start his own team. His vision was a club that would celebrate and support other Christian athletes who faced a similar situation. The result has been a club that has accepted players without barriers when it comes to cultural and religious identifications. In addition to helping Christians achieve success, Je Suis Club has welcomed Muslim players. Having grown from 20 to 140 players, it now competes within the fourth level of the Egyptian League.

1. J A M A L D A N I E L
Unique Egyptian Soccer Team with
Christian Identity Takes Root

2. Introduction
Based in Houston, Jamal Daniel oversees a portfolio of investment holdings and is also
director of The Levant Foundation, which focuses on furthering knowledge and
appreciation of the Middle East’s monotheistic religions. As head of Al-Monitor, Jamal
Daniel also oversees a media company known for its unbiased regional perspectives.

3. A February 2021 Al-Monitor feature explored a unique Egyptian football team, the Je
Suis (I Am) Club, which was founded by Christian soccer pro Mina Bendary. The
impetus for the team came when Bendary joined the Alexandrian Union Club of the
Egyptian Football Association in 2015 and was asked to take a non-Christian name,
“Ibrahim,” instead of Mina.

4. After six months on the squad Bendary, facing questions from his church and
colleagues, left to start his own team. His vision was a club that would celebrate and
support other Christian athletes who faced a similar situation. The result has been a
club that has accepted players without barriers when it comes to cultural and religious
identifications. In addition to helping Christians achieve success, Je Suis Club has
welcomed Muslim players. Having grown from 20 to 140 players, it now competes
within the fourth level of the Egyptian League.