When Bachar Houli was drafted into the AFL in 2006, not only were his own dreams realised, but the dreams of a whole community.

The first practicing Muslim to play AFL, Houli had forged a pathway for others in the Muslim community to reach the game’s highest level.

MANY CULTURES Celebrate the Many Cultures that make up our 'One Tiger Army' at the Round 17 match against GWS

“I was willing to do anything and everything it took to give myself the opportunity (to play AFL),” he said on Richmond Media’s Our Stripes podcast this week.

“And there was a belief, belief within people around the community saying ‘you could be the next big thing’ within our own community.

“(People said) ‘You can make us proud and make yourself and your family proud by fulfilling a goal that we would all dream of.'”

Over his 13 years in the AFL, Houli’s contribution to the sport has extended well beyond the field.

The 31-year-old has championed diversity in football, headed by the development of the Bachar Houli Foundation.

The Foundation offers programs that engage Muslim boys and girls to be positive community leaders through AFL.

Houli also consulted with the AFL throughout the establishment of prayer rooms at AFL venues, an initiative he said was one of the “best things (he’s) ever put forth” and makes him “so proud”.

Houli is confident that when someone is sincere in what they do, success will follow.

“When you’re sincere in what you do, success is there. It might work out, it might not work out, but when you have sincere intentions, even if things don’t work out, you know you’ve given it your best,” he said.

“For me, thankfully the (Bachar Houli) Program has been running now for eight years and it just keeps growing, it gets better, it gets stronger, because we continue to deliver the messages that are important.”

Integrating his religion into his life as a full-time professional footballer has been testing at times.

Each year as the football season approaches its midpoint, Houli fasts in daylight hours during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, something he says he manages well.

“I actually had my best football (this year) in the month of Ramadan, I’ve worked out a system of what works, the Club are very respectful,” Houli said.

“I know what works for me, if anything it just goes to show there are many ways to prepare for a game.

“The Club and AFL are just so proactive and fully supportive, and that’s why I’m so proud to play this great game.”

Houli said he faced some “challenges” early on in his AFL career as he tried to fit in, namely due to the fact he does not drink alcohol.

This, however, is no longer the case, and Houli has found other ways to socialise with his “42 brothers” at Tigerland.

“I do my utmost to try and counter (not attended social gatherings that have alcohol present) by doing barbeques, bringing (teammates) sweets, going fishing, camping,” he said.

“I’d like to think I’ve gained enough respect that my brothers at this Football Club understand and truly respect my way of life and my choices.”

The Tigers have one of the most diverse playing lists in the AFL. Houli, drawing on a conversation he had with Tigers defender Alex Rance following Richmond’s 2017 Grand Final win, trumpeted the mutual respect and appreciation within the tight-knit group.

“After the Grand Final in the rooms, Alex Rance grabbed me and he said. ‘Hey Bach, I know who you are and I don’t want you to change the person you are because we’ve just won the Grand Final',” Houli said.

“And that made me so proud of the Football Club, and that was probably one of the reasons why we were so successful that year, because the connection we built within the playing group was another level.

“To have one of your leaders come and say that shortly after the siren, made me feel very proud as an individual and as a proud Tiger… it gave me so much happiness to know people are on the same page as my thinking.”

Houli considers himself fortunate to be a part of a sporting code that is both understanding and proactive towards diversity, and heralded Richmond as a place where he can be himself.

“The great thing about being a part of this game is that we are the most powerful code when it comes to diversity, when it comes to understanding,” he said.

“I’m so blessed with what I’ve achieved in life and to be able to be part of such a great environment, I’m so proud of being part of this great game, it allows you to be the person you are.”

CROWD Guess the Crowd for our Round 17 match with GWS and go into the draw to win

Richmond will host a ‘Many Cultures Festival’ at the Swinburne Centre this Sunday, dedicating its Round 17 match against GWS to celebrating the diversity and cultures of its players, staff and fans, as well as the broader Australian community.

Richmond’s VFL side will kick off proceedings at 10.10am when they come up against Werribee.

Food trucks featuring a range of cuisines will be available, as well as activities and a performance by Bollywood dancers.

Tiger fans can then take part in a 'Parade of Cultures' at 11.45am.

Starting at the Swinburne Centre, the parade will make its way up to the MCG ahead of Richmond’s clash against GWS at the MCG at 1.10pm.

The VFL Tigers will round out the day when they run out onto Punt Road Oval at 3.00pm to face Melbourne Uni.