Rugby: Sonny Bill Williams takes break from training for Islamic pilgrimage

Sonny Bill Williams visited the holy city of Mecca. Photo / Getty

All Blacks and Blues second five-eighth Sonny Bill Williams has taken some time off from pre-season training to visit Mecca, as part of an Islamic pilgrimage.

Visiting the holy city is a trip that every healthy Muslim must perform at least once in their lifetime.

Williams was recently training with Quade Cooper in preparation of the 2018 Super Rugby season, before he made the trip to the Saudi Arabian city.

The All Black posted a photo on Twitter standing in front of the Kaaba, a sacred black stone.

Umrah 2018. Peace & ❤️ my friends pic.twitter.com/0YqiBZJW8w

— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) January 16, 2018

Williams, who was the first Muslim to wear the All Black jersey, also visited the baqee cemetery and the holy masjid in Madinah, which was built by the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

What an amazing feeling visiting the prophets(as) holy masjid in Madinah. pic.twitter.com/kmYtKZSDVL

— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) January 14, 2018

Another sports star, Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, took some time off in 2016 to visit Mecca, and a refugee camp in Jordan.