Rami Sebei, better known by his ring name Sami Zayn, is a Canadian professional wrestler currently signed to WWE. He performs on the RAW brand.
In a career-defining moment at WrestleMania XL, he achieved a monumental victory by dethroning Gunther, ending his historic Intercontinental Championship reign and capturing the title.
As he rose to prominence, netizens grew curious about his personal life, particularly his family background and faith.
Born Rami Sebei on July 12, 1984, in Laval, Quebec, Canada, Sami Zayn is now 40 years old (as of 2025) and remains one of professional wrestling’s most enduring and beloved figures.
Trained by legends Savio Vega and Jerry Tuite, he began his wrestling journey on March 1, 2002, debuting in Quebec’s FLQ promotion under the masked persona Stevie McFly.
He wrestled under a mask for over a decade, honing his craft across the independent circuit before making waves in WWE’s NXT. His unmasked NXT run cemented his legacy, culminating in an NXT Championship victory, a pivotal moment that launched him into WWE stardom.
Moreover, he was a professional wrestler who won the wXw Unified World Wrestling Championship in Germany and the KO-D Openweight Championship of DDT Pro-Wrestling in Japan.
Sami Zayn Religion: Exploring the WWE Superstar’s Muslim Roots
Sami Zayn’s parents raised him in the Muslim faith, and he has proudly represented his heritage in professional wrestling.
Despite the frequent underrepresentation and prejudice faced by Muslims in the industry, WWE has embraced him as a trailblazing ambassador for Muslim athletes, showcasing his talent, charisma, and resilience on a global stage.
He is fluent in Arabic and an outspoken advocate for his Muslim faith. He openly discusses its importance and the need for better representation in media and professional wrestling.
His candidness has helped challenge stereotypes and inspire Muslim fans worldwide.
It’s definitely a sensitive topic to discuss, but I have felt since I signed with the WWE that I was in a unique position to reestablish how Arabs were perceived in the WWE and Western media.
Ever since I was a kid and growing up and watching things like the ‘Naked Gun’ movies, there was always this stereotype about how Arabs were perceived and portrayed. I’ve never watched those Arab villains in the movie and felt like that was me.
They were nothing like me, and now I get to just be me — and hopefully being me strikes a chord with a lot of young Arabs and non-Arabs, honestly. We’re really not all that different.
Sami, a well-known WWE talent, has advocated for inclusivity and diversity in sports entertainment.
Given the historically strained relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia, he had long avoided participating in WWE events held in the Kingdom.
However, during WWE’s 2023 Night of Champions, he debuted in Saudi Arabia and fulfilled the sacred Islamic pilgrimage of Umrah in Mecca, blending his professional journey with profound personal faith.
In a display of unwavering devotion, Sami Zayn competed in a grueling five-man Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania while fasting during the first day of Ramadan.
Observing his faith, he abstained from food and water throughout the day, facing the challengers under extraordinary physical strain.
A devout Muslim, Sami prays five times daily and upholds the Ramadan fast, earning admiration from fans worldwide. WWE’s respectful acknowledgment of his religious practices resonated deeply, with supporters praising the company for honoring his commitment.
Beyond the ring, Sami channels his influence into humanitarian efforts. In 2017, he established Sami for Syria, a fundraising initiative supporting the Syrian American Medical Society, further cementing his legacy as a champion both in and out of wrestling.
Sami Zayn’s Muslim Heritage Shaped His WWE Legacy
WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn was born in Canada to Syrian immigrant parents from Homs, who relocated in the 1970s. Despite the challenges of adapting to a new culture, his family proudly upheld their Muslim faith.
This choice stood in contrast to many other Muslim immigrants in the 1980s who distanced themselves from their religion to blend in.
They raised him with a strong connection to his heritage, teaching him Arabic, encouraging him to fast during Ramadan, and instilling the core principles of Islam.
To this day, Sami still speaks Arabic regularly, a testament to his family’s enduring influence.
Furthermore, Sami tied the knot with Khadijah Farhat Sebei, affectionately known as Deeja, in an intimate ceremony in August 2018. The couple welcomed their son, Rami Sebei Jr., shortly after.
Their love story began in 2014, and after four years of dating, they took the next step into marriage. Deeja is a talented writer, editor, and producer in the film and broadcast industry, bringing creativity and passion to her work.
A devoted and supportive partner, she occasionally makes special appearances in WWE, cheering on her husband from the sidelines.
