Louis Smith misses Olympics celebrations to visit mosques after ‘offensive’ video
Louis Smith missed the Olympic parade to visit mosques following a leaked video that appeared to show him mocking Islam.
The gymnast, 27, who has already apologised for the clip of him pretending to pray while shouting "Allahu Akbar", said that he wanted to learn more about the Muslim faith.
"So today I visited 2 mosques in London that I was invited to,” he wrote on Facebook.
“I accepted the offer to learn more about the Muslim community and Islam. I honestly can say it was actually a really good day.
“I was a little nervous and anxious before visiting because of the reason events in the last week. But the people and the community where so understanding and inviting.”
Smith continued: "We discussed my actions and they showed me what they learn & the true meaning behind their religion of peace.
“The community work they do for various charities is actually crazy and the money raised each year would blow your mind."
Smith went on to say that he had been ‘ignorant’ about other religion when he made the ‘offensive’ video at Dan Keatings’ wedding.
“I was ignorant to people's religion. And I apologised for offending those who follow the faith. And just because I have the right to doesn't mean I'm happy with doing that.
“People have commented about it's freedom of speech but I feel if I was to preach freedom of speech I wouldn't use my video to endorse that.
“We can all exercise our rights of freedom of speech but being in the public eye and someone of sporting influence it's my responsibility to exercise it in good taste, and on that part I messed up.”
Smith recently admitted that he’d started receiving death threats after the video as made public.
Smith said he is not “scared” of the threats, but had been left “stressed”.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror he said: “If it was just me in the line of fire I could deal with it but friends and family are a whole different ball game.
“One guy’s Facebook page had pictures of himself with a pistol on his lap.
“The police are aware of the situation. If anything happens to the house or me they are ready to move on it. It makes me so angry as that video is not a representation of what I stand for.
“But I have to take the abuse because I was the one that messed up. I have only myself to blame.”
