Hazem El Masri, a first-grade rugby league player with the Canterbury Bulldogs (Australia), was born in Lebanon and raised in Sydney's southwest. His fame among the area's large Lebanese community has made him a powerful icon for the region's youth. Local police have his private number if they need is help. He's a local boy - a Lebanese local boy - made good. And he is a sensational, electrifying football player. He may shun the title of cultural spokesman but he knows plenty about fighting the good fight. He was an ambitious ten year old when he left Tripoli for a better life in Australia and now he is doing his part, as a Muslim, to earn his people their rightful respect.