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The N.B.A. Takes A Stand

Denver Nuggets basketball player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, 27, changed his mind last week. He agreed to stand during the national anthem.

For the first 60 games this season, Abdul-Rauf had refused to stand for The Star-Spangled Banner. While the other players sang the anthem, Abdul-Rauf was off to the side, stretching.

Abdul-Rauf is a Muslim. He said that standing during the national anthem is against his religion. But the National Basketball Association says players must stand "in a dignified posture" during the anthem. Last week the N.B.A. suspended Abdul-Rauf, which cost him $31,107 for the game he missed last Tuesday.

Some players supported Abdul-Rauf and hoped for a compromise. But another Muslim, Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets, said, "To be a good Muslim is to be a good citizen."

Finally, Abdul-Rauf agreed to follow the rule from now on. "I'll stand. I will offer a prayer, my own prayer," he said.

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